The extreme measures taken are due to last seasons shambolic scenes as thieves stole the Kelly Read Cup from under the noses of the Hayley Brothers.
KELLY READGATE SCANDAL 2009
The Kelly Read trophy, awarded to the winner of the Kelly Read Cup, was stolen in May 2009 The trophy was later recovered. No one was convicted for being involved but other possible culprits are still unknown.
Welton S&SC had received the trophy two weeks before there end of season barbecue. It was usually kept in their headquarters at Welton Sports and Social Club apart from a couple of publicity events. The trophy was allowed to be on show at the Barbecue in condition that it would be under guard at all times. The trophy was also insured for £30.
The trophy was kept on a table behind the watchful eyes of the Hayley Brothers band.
THEFT
On the evening of the 15th May 2009, when the Hayley Brothers took a break around 10:30 pm they noticed that someone had forced open the back of the marquee and stolen the trophy. They had removed the trophy from the table where it stood next to the Ron Eaglen Cup, taken the trophy and left the way they came. None of the stunned people in attendance had seen or heard anything suspicious, though one of them reported that he had seen strange men behind a tree when he had visited the lavatory at the back.
The next day Police had begun to look for two potential suspects but the description that the witness gave did not correspond to the either one of the men later questioned. This hazy picture below is the only ever sighting of the mysterious thief.
RECOVERY
The following day Will Carter and his dog whisper were walking in the Ryland Road district of Dunholme, when Carter noticed a parcel that was lying under the backseat of his Toyota Yaris. It was wrapped in an old newspaper, tied with string. When he opened the parcel, he recognized the trophy that he had lifted just two weeks before and returned the trophy to Welton police station.
Police briefly suspected that Carter was involved with the theft but he had an alibi in James Drabble who claimed to have been with Carter the whole night.
The hunt for the culprit/ culprits still goes on over a year after the theft took place and Police Constable Andrew Rolfe admits that the Police are no closer to finding the culprit.
“We simply have no idea” said Rolfe
“The truth is we may never find out who it was but I can assure any potential thieves this Year that they will not be so lucky!”
WELTON S&SC end of Season Hog Roast Saturday 31st July.
Tickets must be purchased by Saturday the 24th July from your nearest ticket agent.