Jono Laughran remembered by W/D midis

Oct 6 2010 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

Waysiders/Drumpellier

IT was a day when the Waysiders/Drumpellier RFC stars of tomorrow remembered a favourite son from the past.

Tragic rugby ace Jono Laughran was honoured recently when the Coatbridge outfit’s midi section held a competition in his memory.

The 24-year-old, nicknamed Trojan, was killed in a car crash in Gartcosh over three years ago with his loss still felt by those connected to W/D.

But the club’s midis have ensured he will always be remembered following the inaugural running of the Trojan tournament.

S1 and S2 sides representing W/D, Cumbernauld and Hamilton took part in the event at a sunny Langloan.

“Jono was a character,” Jake Wilson, president of the midis section, told Advertiser Sport. “So when we started the midis, we wanted to do something for him.

“He was a really funny guy and would have given anybody his last. He was an absolutely delightful person as everyone at the club will know.

“Jono did a lot for youth rugby at the club and the young lads here are well aware of how highly he is regarded by the membership and his friends.

“There was quite a bit of emotion on the day. Jono’s parents, Colin and Margaret, came along with their grandson, Carter, and carried out the presentations at the end and we are very grateful for their presence at the event.”

Jake said that he was thrilled with the success of the tournament with W/D’s S2 team winning the Trojan Trophy and Cumbernauld’s S1 side clinching the Trojan Shield.

The focus is now on making next year’s event bigger and better with organisers already looking at ways of increasing the numbers of teams involved.

“It was a great afternoon,” Jake added. “We handed out two trophies, there were man of the match awards and the club made some money as well.

“We received £750 from the Trojan Foundation, which was created in Jono’s memory, and we used that money to buy a trophy and medals for all the players.

“This is going to be an annual event and next year we could try and organise another section for under-15s sides.”