The Betty Carlin Trophy

The Betty Carlin Trophy is part of the Fullerton Park Branch heritage.
In the early Seventies Betty Carlin was both Finance Chairman of the LUSC Executive Committee, in charge of fund raising, and also Branch Treasurer of Fullerton Park.

Betty was blessed with a dynamic personality and was very much a “doer”.
In summer 1974 Fullerton Park had a massive influx of young people and many of that intake went on to make a huge impact both in the Branch and the Supporters Club generally.
They were momentous days as Leeds had just won the old First Division Championship for the second time, although the Revie Era had also ended as “The Don” had left to become England Team Manager. Betty’s enthusiasm and that of her namesake, Betty Talbot (FP’s senior Executive delegate) “rubbed off” on the younger Members of the Branch, both women being held in very high regard.

Tragically Betty Carlin died of cancer during the 1975-76 Season only in middle age. Two of the Branch “young guns” at that time, Richard Binns and John Peckham came up with the idea of an award to commemorate Betty’s contribution for posterity.
The original citation was roughly, “The award to be made by the Branch Committee to an Ordinary Member i.e. someone not holding any official position and who, by their efforts, has set an example to others.” Fortunately a suitable trophy was found within the old LUSC building on Fullerton Park and so an institution was born.
In 1976 John Peckham had started a Branch Fanzine - “Fullerton Park News”.
Printing was a very physical job and the technology of the time meant it was churned out on an old green duplicator. The heroic printer was one Myrtle Thompson, junior in years to JP. FPN was an immediate success and led to her becoming the Trophy’s first winner later that year. The BCT is presented at our AGM each summer and the identity of each winner is always a closely guarded secret until the moment of handover!
The cup is inscribed on one side “Betty Carlin Trophy” and “Fullerton Park Trophy” on the other. No award was made in 1984 as apparently the cup had gone missing!
At the time of writing no less than 5 Members had won it twice but nobody has managed a third win. Despite the passing of many years some people listed below are still active in the Branch today. Inevitably some past winners are no longer alive but are commemorated for all time.
The award has been shared twice, both winners were equally deserving the honour.
In making their decision the Committee also takes into account cumulative input over successive seasons. Some familiar names don’t appear but usually they have been Branch Officials at one time or another. However the award effectively makes the point whilst you may have a group of elected Officials there is always a place for a willing volunteer and it is only fitting that their efforts are recognised.