The Holly Fairchild Playing Fields and Pavilion have opened in Haddenham in tribute to Holly Fairchild, who tragically died aged just 16.

Football, especially juniors “colts” football has grown significantly in Haddenham over the last 10 years. So much so that in 2018 there were 11 colts teams plus several adult teams, most of them having to play their “home” matches on hired pitches in surrounding villages. Haddenham Rovers Colts asked the Parish Council to see if new facilities in the village could be found. This started a 6-year project which came to fruition on 7 September with the opening of the Holly Fairchild Playing Fields and Pavilion which can be configured into several different sized pitches.

The opening coincided with the start of the football season, 5 matches were played but first there was a small gathering of villagers, Haddenham Rovers Colts leaders, Parish, District and County Councillors, a representative from the Cambridgeshire Football Association, and VIP guests the Fairchild family (dad Pete, mum Jill, Reuben and Seb), the Lamb family, Jenny Manning and Sheila Coulson and Charlotte Cane MP. Jill Fairchild cut the ribbon to formally open the facility named after her daughter Holly.

Holly Fairchild

Holly Fairchild tragically unexpectedly died aged just 16, after routine surgery. “The whole community was rocked by Holly’s passing and since she had played for Haddenham Rovers Colts her entire childhood, it is appropriate we name the facility after her,” explained Tor Taylor Clerk to the Parish Council. Holly’s mum Jill says “Holly was young, beautiful, active, fun loving, kind, caring and filled with laughter.” She was also a very popular and good footballer and scored numerous goals, from the time the Colts started records of their matches, Holly scored 66 goals in 78 matches and played over 100 matches for Haddenham.

Development Project

In opening the site Councillor Chris Ray explained the 6-year project has cost nearly £1 million and has involved collaboration between many different organisations and people. He explained that finding a suitable site for football pitches in a village on a hill was a problem until sisters Jenny and Sheila offered their field previously used for grazing. Funding was a huge challenge and this was significantly provided by the Football Foundation and East Cambridgeshire District Council and the Parish Council with additional funds from the Haddenham Rovers Colts FC and the Haddenham Recreation Charity. Cllr Ray gave special thanks to Parish Council Clerk, Tor Taylor for her stewardship of funding and grants, to Katie Critchley, Football Development Manager of the Cambs FA also Duncan Jenkinson and Billy Fox from the Football Foundation for their support. He acknowledged the fantastic support from East Cambs District Council especially Leader Anna Bailey in respect of funding and in particular to Gemma Driver for help navigating the complexities of planning consent.

Over 450 children now play a variety of sports in the village, not just football but cricket, netball and boxing are well supported. Chris Ray explained that there were times during the project when he had worried they would not get the development “over the line”. The worries about completion were alleviated by excellent project management from Alan Lamb, who sadly died a few weeks before the opening. Alan’s son Frank, daughter Kaccy and partner Vee attended the opening. Chris thanked the Fairchild family for their agreement to name the site after Holly and Councillor Mark Hugo read a short statement from the family saying they were happy that the site is a “lasting tribute” to Holly. Chair of East Cambs District Council Mark Goldsack echoed the words of others emphasising the importance of having good quality safe facilities for children’s sport and said he was pleased that funding could be allocated under the Council Sporting Strategy. A project such as this could not have succeeded without volunteers and Grayham Roper Chair of Haddenham Rovers Colts acknowledged the great efforts by numerous volunteers which helps sport thrive in the village. Katie Critchley of the Cambs FA said “This is a fantastic new facility and we give our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.”

Holly’s Active Stars

Holly’s family set up a charity in Holly’s name to collect used sportswear and equipment to provide to people struggling to afford expensive kit. The charity is called Holly’s Active Stars and pink banners and collection bins promoted the cause, highly appropriate to the occasion. Holly’s teammates dressed in pink with Holly’s name and football number 2 on the backs of their shirts played a memorial match. www.hollysactivestars.org.uk is also on social media. The pink shirts, smiles and youthful energy set against “The football facility with the best view in the county” provided a great tribute to Holly and the teamwork needed to develop the site in her name.