The tunnel’s in sight, the kits are ironed, and the team talk is nearly over — because in just 6 weeks, Football Lodge South West No. 10063 will walk out for its biggest match yet: Consecration Day.
This Lodge was never going to be one built on slow passing and safe decisions. No, this has been total football from day one with bold ideas, high energy, and the occasional tactical switch, Zoom to Microsoft Teams, a move akin to getting promoted from League One to the Championship. Crisper audio, smoother transitions, and far fewer accidental mute mishaps. A VAR-level improvement when he got his speakers plugged in!. But none of it would have happened without the original playmaker himself: Craig Cox.
Craig didn’t just have a vision he had the guts to lace up and drive it forward from the halfway line. His passion, perseverance, and commitment to both Freemasonry and the beautiful game have been the backbone of this project. If this were a testimonial match, he’d already have his name chanted from the stands.
Behind the scenes, the steering committee have been nothing short of heroic. They’ve marshalled the defence, bossed the midfield, and kept everything ticking behind the scenes like seasoned pros. The whole squad of Founders deserve a standing ovation – working tirelessly to make sure we’re not just ready for the big day, but worthy of it.
And let’s talk about our secret weapons: the custom-made football boot gavels. Yes, you read that right. Beautifully hand-crafted by W.Bro Keith Vallance and completely unique, they’re a tribute to the spirit of this Lodge — classic craftsmanship with a touch of flair. Think of them as the golden boots of the Worshipful Master.
So, with 6 weeks left on the clock, the atmosphere’s building. The pitch is nearly ready, the banners are going up, but even with all our prep, we’d be nowhere without the tactical nous of our Provincial Director of Ceremonies, Keith Williams, and his elite coaching staff.
If Consecration Day is the Cup Final, then Keith is our Pep, Klopp, and Sir Alex all rolled into one — calm under pressure and cool under the collar. Working tirelessly behind the scenes diagramming plays, rehearsing set-pieces, and making sure every brother is in the right place at the right time (and facing the right way).
Choreographing a Masonic Consecration is no Sunday League warm-up. It’s a high-stakes, high-precision affair. A Champions League final and a West End musical, part theatre, part ritual, part magic with aprons instead of arias. Yet under the steady hand of our Provincial DC, everything is coming together beautifully. He’s part tactician, part diplomat, and part magician. If anything goes wrong on the day, we’ll know it definitely wasn’t in his game plan.
His calm leadership, attention to detail, and uncanny ability to make the complex (Masonic cats and football fans rolled into one) look effortless. We’re incredibly lucky to have someone at the helm who handles the pressure like a true gaffer, clipboard in hand, eyes on the field, and probably a set of cards and a whistle somewhere in his pocket just in case.
And while we’re on the subject of match day line-ups, allow us to introduce our Primus Team Sheet the Founding Officers of Football Lodge South West No. 10063, taking to the field in full regalia:
- ‘Team Manager’ – Worshipful Master: Craig Cox
- ‘Forwards’ – Senior & Junior Wardens: M Bowes-Cavanagh & I Southcott
- ‘HQ Liaison Officer’ – Chaplain: B Page
- ‘CFO’ – Treasurer: W Liddle
- ‘CEO’ – Secretary: J Hipwell
- ‘Match Referee’ – Director of Ceremonies: L Taylor
- ‘Assistant Ref’ – Assistant Director of Ceremonies: R Govier
- ‘Medical’ – Almoner: D Bennett
- ‘Community Liaison Officer’ – Charity Steward: G Richards
- ‘Chief Scout’ – Membership Officer: J Turner
- ‘Welfare Officer’ – Mentor: N Ware
- ‘Midfield’ – Senior & Junior Deacons : J Chalk & M Haworth
- ‘Central Defender’ – Inner Guard : C Jones
- ‘Goal Keeper’ – Tyler: A Bolton
- ‘Deputy CEO & Programme Editor’ – Assistant Secretary: D Hodson-Whittle
- ‘Stadium Manager & Safety Officer’ – Senior Steward: C Sidwell
- ‘Stadium Security’ – Steward R Sadiq
- ‘VAR’ – IPM: Charlie Yelland, Assistant Provincial Grand Master
With a squad like that, led by a man with a game plan and a gleam in his eye, we know we’re set for something unforgettable and because every great team needs someone keeping an eye on the bigger picture, preferably with access to slow-motion replays and a healthy sense of humour. With Charlie as our VAR, we know any close calls will be reviewed with the wisdom of experience, a slight eye roll but no tut will ever be heard.
Six weeks and counting, get your boots polished, let’s bring it home. – Lodge 10063 is about to kick off in style.
The consecration is on Wednesday 4th June 2025 in Torquay – further details by contacting the secretary https://footballlodgesw.org.uk/