Hawks kick-start Christmas

8:20am Tuesday 18th November 2008

FOOTBALL

RYAN Kirby and James Bunn were just some of the Harlow Town first team stars on show as the Christmas lights were officially switched on in Harlow town centre on Sunday.

Hawks player-manager Kirby was joined on stage by Jamie Richards and Leon Lalite as ten-17fm breakfast show host Terry James spoke to them about the recent FA Cup run in front of the thousands of people crammed into Broad Walk and Market Square.

Hawks publicity officer Billy Shaw, who arranged with the event organisers for the Hawks to be involved with the switch-on, said: “It was fantastic to be involved with the big switch-on and it really helped to get the football club’s message across to the people of Harlow.

“We gave out free programmes and at the end, we even got the whole crowd chanting a Harlow song.”

Just before the town centre was lit up, Harlow captain Bunn addressed fans in attendance, flanked by his sons, Reggie and Teddy, along with club mascot Hawkeye.

Free programmes were also given out amongst the crowds, while players including Danny Chapman and Jordan Fowler joined Hawkeye in the glow-stick parade from the Water Gardens in the countdown to the switch-on.

Harlow will hope for a bumper crowd against Carshalton Athletic this Saturday after raising awareness of the club at the event.

Prior to Sunday’s ceremony, dubbed “Harlow’s Christmas Cracker”, organiser Richard Dennery was the special guest at the Hawks’ recent game against Canvey Island.

The showpiece occasion was also recognised as the official match ball sponsor for Harlow’s 1-1 draw with Ramsgate at the weekend.