In January, we tragically lost Mike McKenzie. He was a dear friend of the league, and revered within the North West’s football scene.
In his memory, the Manchester Amateur Sunday Football League is seeking to commence the Mike McKenzie Memorial Cup for the forthcoming season.
Please see the below statement:
My name is Tony Henderson, and I am working in collaboration with Ian Heath, of Moss Side FC to organise the Mike McKenzie Memorial Cup.
We wish to celebrate his legacy — defined by excellence, respect, and community spirit.
On behalf of Moss Side FC, as well as the wider footballing family, we are proud to introduce the Mike McKenzie Memorial Cup. This is a tribute to a man whose impact on grassroots football can never be forgotten.
Mike McKenzie was much more than a manager. He was not only a dear friend of mine, but a mentor, a pioneer, and a friend to many.
Over his decades-long career, he led various teams to glory, achieving the following:
– 20+ JA Kennedy Cup wins, including an unmatched 14 year winning streak.
– Multiple County Shield and Northwest Champion of Champions titles.
– MASFL Premier Division and Division One triumphs, far too numerous to count.
Yet, Mike’s legacy extends beyond silverware. He was a trailblazer – one of the first Black, semi professional coaches in the country, on top of being a pillar of the Moss Side community. His leadership of Astro FC and Moss Side FC inspired generations, culminating with his recognition by the Football Blacklist in 2024. Here, he cemented his place in football history.
This competition is founded on the values Mike lived by: respect, integrity and passion.
We implore all teams to honour his memory by participating with pride and sportsmanship. Any team disrupting this spirit will be removed, because this cup has a meaning beyond football. This cup is about Mike’s legacy.
We wish to work with ALL leagues, be it in Saturday or Sunday football, in order to make this a unique competition – something I’m sure you’d agree with
.
There will be an entrance fee of £30.00.
This is non returnable. All proceeds will go to a charity chosen by Mike’s family.
If you would like to get involved, please contact Tony at masfltonyh@gmail.com or fill out the form below for more information. We will happily support you in discussing availability, and an application form.
Let us collaborate to make this the best competition in our region, and one that moves from strength to strength annually.
May the best team win, and may we all play in the spirit of our dear friend, Mike.
Yours in Football,
Tony Henderson
League Chairman
The below form can be used by those wishing to enquire further about the competition, including registering a team. You should receive a response in due course.