Sutton Coldfield football tournament The Senna Cup sees local bands compete for charity

The Senna Cup will be held at Sutton Coldfield Town FC on Saturday, beginning at 6pm, featuring local bands and musicians to raise much-needed cash for Safe Gigs For Women.

It is organised by and named after local radio presenter, vlogger, reviewer and writer Tim Senna, whose credits include BBC WM Introducing and Switch Radio.

Bands taking part include Wolverhampton's The Jack Fletcher Band, Lichfield's former Unsigned column stars Violet, and Birmingham acts Lycio, The Novus, The Clause, Riscas, and Phundo Art - as well as a team from the We Are Birmingham fansite.

Tim, a self-confessed "long-suffering Bluenose", can't wait to get out on the pitch.

READ MORE: Merry Hill HMV and RawSound.tv toast successful debut live music showcase

"I'm putting on the Senna Cup because I love football and want to add to the existing culture in the Midlands music scene," he said. "I think it brings everyone together and whenever I've mentioned the idea in passing to bands they've absolutely jumped at it - especially Riscas."

He ran an informal event last year to which Riscas, Lycio and Phundo Art all turned up and played. Tim's now hoping for similar success with this more formal tournament. all for a good cause.

"Safe Gigs For Women was always going to be my choice because, sadly, the reality is gigs in 2019 are not safe for women. Over the past two years I've been sickened at the stories of exploitation and abuse I've heard even within our music scene by people with power – they need to be checked and told it's not okay and I think this is a positive way to do it."

Tim was recently at a gig in the city by American rockers Fever 333, a band who make a point of being outspoken advocates of women's right to be safe at gigs.

And despite frontman Jason Aalon Butler even telling the crowd to be respectful at the gig, he says his girlfriend was unfortunately targeted by another attendee.

"I also recently went to the Fever 333 gig with my girlfriend and she was groped right in front of me without me noticing. It ruined the gig for her and that's not okay."

And he hopes that if the tournament is a success it may bring more events in the future.

"I 100 per cent want it to become a regular thing," he continues. "The inaugural event hasn't even happened yet and all I can think about is what I'll do differently next year.

READ MORE: Unsigned act Violet: We want to play music to people who care

"The reaction has been crazy and I'd love to build off that long-term. I asked JAWS and they would have loved to have done it but were playing a festival.

"Next year I'd love Jaykae, Lady Leshurr and some of the 0121 grime team to be involved - maybe an 11 v 11 format. I'm a long-suffering Bluenose, so naturally my dream is to take this to St Andrews one day. That being said, Sutton Coldfield have been amazing hosts and I owe them a lot."

The Jack Fletcher Band, fresh off the release of new single The Assassin, are also excited about the event.

"Firstly, Tim’s a top lad who does a lot for the Birmingham music scene and has helped us a lot too, so we’re happy to help him in any way possible," said guitarist George Hadley. "Not only that, but we think it’s a great and relevant charity. Nobody wants to go to a gig and be harassed or assaulted and that stuff needs to be called out.

"So when Tim asked for bands it was a no-brainer really. We’re looking forward to getting stuck in and doing our bit for charity."

Tickets for the event are still available from SeeTickets, priced at £4.40. For updates on the event, you can follow either Tim himself on Twitter @TimSenna, or the event's dedicated Twitter page @SennaCup

For more on Safe Gigs For Women, visit their website.