Embo footballers unite to remember village stalwarts in charity match
Two stalwarts of amateur football in Embo were remembered on Saturday as the village came out in their numbers to support a charity match played in their memory.
Over £1100 was raised for causes close to the heart of organisers as players past and present turned out to play in the match at Back Park, celebrating the lives of former Embo AFC footballers Charlie Hercher and Shamo Mcaffer.
Players aged from 14 to 66 were invited to come along and play, with the teams captained by Steven Hercher and Leigh McAffer, sons of Charlie and Shamo.
Money raised on the day was split between Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, Niemann Pick and Embo AFC.
Helen Cumming, wife of the late Charlie Hercher, said: “My late husband was very involved with Embo AFC, playing for them for many years.
“He suffered a brain aneurysm in November 1997, and sadly did not recover. The family thought a charity football game would be a fitting memorial to mark 25 years after his passing, so we arranged this in May 2023, which was a very successful day, and decided we would arrange another this year.
“Another team legend, Shamo McAffer sadly passed away earlier this year, so we thought it would be good to include him in this year’s memorial.
“Embo is a very close community, and the local residents give so generously to charity events in the village, buying raffles tickets, donating raffle prizes and supporting the event on the day, which is the reason we had such a successful day again this year.
“We raised £1105, which was divided between Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, Niemann Pick and Embo AFC.”
Ms Cumming added: “CHSS is a charity which we felt everyone would support as so many are affected by these illnesses, and we chose Niemann Pick as the village lost one of its young lads at an early age to this condition.
“Lastly, we wanted some of the money to benefit the village directly, so as the team is now back up and running and part of North West Sutherland amateur football league so needs all the financial help it can get.
“The football team had not played since 2018 until the 2024 summer season, so we hoped that running the memorial game last year might re-kindle an interest in the team.
“I’m not sure if this is the case, but Embo is now back on the local summer football map. No silverware or league glory this year, but we knew our first year back would be difficult. Onwards and upwards in 2025 though!”
