'He just lived for football': Lybster memorial match is tribute to Craig Banks
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Craig Banks was remembered as "one of our own" as footballers from Lybster and Keiss joined together to pay tribute to him.
The teams met at Lybster's Cow Park on Friday for their opening fixture of the 2023 Caithness Amateur Football Association summer season and it doubled up as a memorial match for Craig.
His mum Susan, who handed over two trophies at the end of the game, said: "He just lived for football."
Craig, a goalkeeper who played for Wick Thistle as well as Lybster, died in June 2021 at the age of 33.
Formerly of Keiss, he had been living in Thurso. He was married to Rebecca and had two children.
Players, officials and a large turnout of spectators observed a minute's silence before kick-off. Lybster, who are aiming for a quick return to the first division after being relegated last summer, won the game 3-1.
After the final whistle, Susan presented the Craig Banks Memorial Cup to man of the match Alfie Mackay before handing the Craig Banks Memorial Shield to Lybster captain Gary Swanson.
“It's keeping his memory going, that's what it is for, because he just lived for football," she said. "He would have been just delighted with this tonight."
Susan pointed out that "football runs in the family". Craig was a cousin of current Wick Academy duo Richard and Mark Macadie and a grandson of the late Bill Mackay, who was a prolific goalscorer for Academy as well as for Keiss.
“Craig and Richard when they were bairns, that's what they did – kick a ball,” she said.
Susan explained that Craig was a keen Rangers fan who enjoyed going off to matches.
She was pleased with the way Friday's memorial event had been handled.
“It's lovely to see the boys and they wanted to do it for him,” Susan said. “We've had a good crowd from Keiss, which is nice, and there were folk down from Thurso that knew him.”
Lybster manager Cameron Mackenzie said: “When I came here, Craig was our backup goalkeeper. I knew Craig pretty well.
“It's good to have something for him. As Lybster, we want to keep this going.
“It's obviously something you would rather not be having, because you want him to be here. But it's really good to have something like this for the family.
"Lybster appreciates it too – he was one of our own, and for Keiss it's exactly the same. It's a good occasion.”
A pitch-side raffle was held, with half the proceeds going to the club and the other half to a charity of the Banks family's choice.
Last September, Lybster hosted a memorial match for Craig Banks and another former player, Stefan Sutherland.
Two new memorial benches at the pitch were unveiled prior to kick-off, with Susan Banks in attendance along with Stefan's father Sandy Sutherland. Lybster won 6-3 against a family-and-friends select.
Lybster got off to a successful start in their quest for a quick return to the top flight of Caithness amateur football as they beat Keiss 3-1 at Cow Park on Friday.
It was the opening Caithness AFA Division Two fixture for both teams, who were also playing for the Craig Banks memorial trophies.
Lewis Mackillop made the breakthrough for Lybster with a first-half penalty. Adam Sherry of Keiss was sent off after the break for a second bookable offence and Lybster took charge thereafter, with Bobby Gunn doubling their lead before Mackillop added his second of the night following a well-worked move.
A neat finish by Oscar Sutherland gave Keiss a late consolation goal.
Lybster manager Cameron Mackenzie said: “I thought we could have been a bit better in the first half but obviously it's the first game of the season and the boys haven't played together in a while, so it's understandable. It takes time to get back on the same wavelength.
“I was really happy with our second-half performance. Everyone stepped up a notch, the boys dug deep and started taking their chances.
“It's a good start in terms of getting back up. Keiss battled really well. It was a hard game and a good one to watch.”
Lybster wore their new strip, sponsored by GMR Henderson. Prior to kick-off they were also presented with new training tops sponsored by G Swanson Joinery.
CAFA result (Friday) – Division Two: Lybster 3, Keiss 1.
CAFA fixtures (all 6.30pm) – Monday, April 17 – Division One: High Ormlie Hotspur v John O’Groats. Division Two: Swifts v Watten.
Tuesday, April 18 – Division One: Staxigoe United v Wick Groats. Division Two: Lybster v Thurso Pentland; Top Joe’s v Keiss.
Wednesday, April 19 – Division One: Acks v Wick Thistle; Castletown v Pentland United.
Saturday, April 22 – Highland Amateur Cup, preliminary round (north section): High Ormlie Hotspur v Pentland United; John O'Groats v Lairg Rovers; Keiss v Brora Wanderers; Lochinver v Lybster; Thurso Swifts v Golspie Stafford; Watten v Lochbroom.
