JOHN BIRKETT MEMORIAL SHIELD
SULSESC’s annual Player of the Year award is presented in memory of former club chairman John Birkett, who sadly died in May, 1998 at the age of just 46 after a short battle against lymphatic cancer.
At the time, John was SULSESC’s longest-serving chairman. He lived in Balmoral Road in Leyton, literally a stone’s throw from the main entrance to Orient’s ground.
SULSESC get-togethers at John’s house became a pre-match ritual before away games at Orient, with members enjoying beers and a barbecue in his back garden before leaving the house at 2.58 pm in plenty of time to claim a spot on the away end terrace in time for kick-off!
David Harle was SULSESC’S first POTY in 1988, United’s final season at the Old Show Ground.
After John’s death, the Memorial Shield was commissioned and has been presented every year since.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON - ROLL OF HONOUR
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