A PRESTIGIOUS Suffolk football competition has been named after one of its founders, James Hehir, who died suddenly at the end of last year.

A PRESTIGIOUS Suffolk football competition has been named after one of its founders, James Hehir, who died suddenly at the end of last year.

James, who was Chief Executive of Ipswich Borough Council for 20 years, teamed up with Martin Head, Chief Executive of the Suffolk Football Association, to re-launch the Ipswich Inter-firm Cup last year.

Both men played in the competition several years ago, James scoring a penalty in a final.

Now, following James's death, Mr Head said the trophy would be named after his old friend.

“The Borough Council's Team Ipswich initiative and the Suffolk FA were very proud to re-launch the competition after a decade. The Inter-firm Cup gives local people the chance to make their side the elite business team in Ipswich and to take advantage of business networking opportunities.”

Mr Head added: “James was a great man and his death has hit many people very hard. Not only did he do so much for Ipswich, he was a great champion of sport and it is fitting that this trophy will now hold his name.”

- For more details and how to register your company's team to the competition please go to the Suffolk FA website www.suffolkfa.com or contact James Payne on 01449 776310 or James.Payne@suffolkfa.com