Dockers gather for football fundraiser

Dockyards football teams from across Britain, and further afield, gathered in West Thurrock on Saturday (3 Aug) for the UK’s first International Dockers Charity Football event.

The tournament featured five-a-side teams from Bristol to London and Southampton to Liverpool. They even welcomed one team from Chile.

Unite reps organised the event raising money for Havens Hospices, a charity that provides specialist care and support for people of all ages who are living with incurable conditions and their families.

Andy Green, Unite Executive Council Member and Workplace Rep at the Port of Tilbury explained, “This was just going to be a bit of a kick about to start with, but after we had an IDC (International Dockworkers Council) meeting in Liverpool it just grew.

“Though this was to raise money, it’s not just about charity, but about bringing rank and file workers together from across the sector. The tournament was a great way to get people to meet each other, discuss issues and generally encourage a sense of solidarity across the sector.”

The day involved 12 teams, with over 130 dockworkers, competing for the first ever Dennis A Daggett Trophy. They played in a group stage, before entering knock out rounds, and was a big family day out with lots of activities such as face painting and inflatables as well as an all day barbecue and a bar.

A team of dockers from Chile, Portuarios Quintero Ventanas , came over for the tournament, and dock workers unions from ports in the United States, including New York, New Jersey, Georgia and Florida, made generous donations.

The first winners of the tournament and trophy were the South Coast Port Services team from London Gateway.

Andy said another International Dockers Charity Football event is in the pipeline, scheduled for summer 2025. 

Andy said: “We are already planning next year, and have American unions interested in coming over, and as well as comrades from Chile we also have unions from Brazil and Belgium keen to get involved.

“This is about building solidarity and a global network where we travel and meet dockers from other countries – something that is vital in a sector that revolves around global trade and international companies.”

Commenting afterwards Jordi Aragunde, Labor Coordinator for the  International Dockworkers Council said it was: “Impossible to describe in words the emotion experienced at the first International Dockworkers charity tournament: it was a dream and among all we made it a reality.

“Thank you Andy and Kris (Knowles) for your organisation; everything has been flawless.”

The Unite dock workers are now looking to the future and have even been invited by their counterparts in Chile to compete in their own International Dockers Tournament in November to bring a full team.

The Unite dockers are now looking to the future and Andy said another International Dockers Charity Football event is in the pipeline, scheduled for summer 2025. 

Andy said: “We are already planning next year, and have American unions interested in coming over, and as well as comrades from Chile we also have unions from Brazil and Belgium keen to get involved.

“This is about building solidarity and a global network where we travel and meet dockers from other countries – something that is vital in a sector that revolves around global trade and international companies.”

They have even been invited by their counterparts in Chile to compete in their own International Dockers Tournament in November and bring a full team from UK ports.

So far the event has raised over £11,000 for Havens Hospices, and if you would donate you can through this link.

By Keith Hatch

Photos by Lukas Antczak