Cup Match mirror covers reflect Lionel’s heartache

While most Cup Match Classic fans are quick to defend their “side”, one Bermudian proudly represents Somerset for himself, and St George’s in memory of his late girlfriend.

Lionel Smith, 60, lost his long-term partner Kathryn Louise Franklin to a heart attack in February of this year.

While she was an avid St George’s fan, Mr Smith supports Somerset.

He has vowed to keep her memory alive and during Cup Match he decorates his driver’s car wing mirror in red and blue, his passenger’s side in blue and blue. 

Kathryn Louise Franklin created multiple prize-winning floats at the Bermuda Day Parade over the years. 

Mr Smith told the Bermuda Sun: “We used to go camping every Cup Match time. She was St George’s and I’m on Somerset
side.”

Mr Smith has a picture of her in hanging from his rear view mirror and he has named the car Katalyna — an amalgamation of Kathryn and her children’s names.