Football tournament to celebrate popular goalie who died after covid

Friday 30 July 2021

Three football clubs have teamed up to host a series of matches in memory of one of their former players, a “massive football man” and goal keeper who passed away this month after testing positive for covid.

Father-of-three James Keating (47) previously played for Trinity, Rozel Rovers and Jersey Scottish FC.

Players from the three clubs will be taking to the pitch at Springfield on Sunday 22 August at 13:00 in a tournament in his memory.

Pictured: Mr Keating (back row, fourth from the right) with the Jersey Scottish over 35s team.

It comes after representatives of the three clubs got talking following Mr Keating’s passing, as James Scott, the Manager of the Parishes of Jersey Football Club, who played with Mr Keating in the Jersey Scottish over-35 team and has known him for many years, explained.

“James himself was a massive football man, he played for a number of local clubs,” Mr Scott said. “He was a goalkeeper himself and a massive Everton fan. Football was a big part of his life.

“We thought it would be good if the football community would come together and organise a game in his memory. There’s going to be either really close friends outside of football and a number of his team mates.”

⚽️????????Safe Hands, Big Heart ????

We are going to play a game in memory of our teammate and friend James Keating.

Sunday 22nd August, 1pm KO @ Springfield.

All his clubs @trinityfsc @RozelRovers @JSYScottish will have players involved.

Please come and support. Thank you.
???????? pic.twitter.com/2x3Inzgl0L

— JS (@JamesScottJS) July 24, 2021

Mr Scott said more than 60 players signed up for the event, which led the organisers to change the format to allow all to play.

“There are going to be four teams and it will be a Round Robin tournament, all four teams will play together in shorter games.

“We are all coming together in memory of James and hopefully we will raise some money for the family.”

Players from the three clubs will be mixed up in the different teams for what Mr Scott hopes will be “a fun tournament”. He said the “great” sign up was a reflection of Mr Keating’s character and how respected he was.

“He had a big heart and was very passionate when he played football,” he said. “He was well known within the football community. It’s good that we have come together like this.”

He encouraged those who would have wished to play but can’t to come and watch the games at Springfield as well as anyone else who wants to show their support. “The more the merrier,” he said.

Several tributes were paid to Mr Keating following his death from within the football community and wider island.

Trinity FC Minis said: “James was one of the great characters, both on and off the pitch, and an integral part of the clubs history.

"He will be sorely missed by all… RIP James, always our no1.”

Jersey FA described him as an “excellent goalkeeper and an extremely popular figure in the local football community”, adding he would be “dearly missed by everyone”.

Sanne Group, where Mr Keating had worked since 2019 and was a Director, commented: "We are devastated at the loss of our much loved colleague and friend. James was an absolute pleasure to work with, a hard working individual who bought happiness and laughter to all those around him. He was a truly valued member of our team who will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.”