Sports stars in charity clash
Celebrity footballers turned out in force to help Staffordshire students raise thousands of pounds for a charity close to their heart. Celebrity footballers turned out in force to help Staffordshire students raise thousands of pounds for a charity close to their heart. Chasetown Specialist Sports College took on Chase Terrace Technology College for the charity match in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Players including former Wolves, Walsall, West Brom and Stafford Rangers star Don Goodman, former West Brom midfielder Richard Sneekes and Walsall stalwart Martin O'Connor all took to the pitch to show their support for the cause. More than 1,000 supporters witnessed the match but despite the impressive turn-out organiser Ben Lowe has been saved from having to run the New York Marathon dressed as Vicky Pollard – which he pledged to do if there were 1,500 people or more. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Chasetown Specialist Sports College took on Chase Terrace Technology College for the charity match in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Players including former Wolves, Walsall, West Brom and Stafford Rangers star Don Goodman, former West Brom midfielder Richard Sneekes and Walsall stalwart Martin O'Connor all took to the pitch to show their support for the cause.
More than 1,000 supporters witnessed the match but despite the impressive turn-out organiser Ben Lowe has been saved from having to run the New York Marathon dressed as Vicky Pollard – which he pledged to do if there were 1,500 people or more.
Ben, aged 18, from Chasetown Specialist Sports College, arranged the event to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as his friend Joe Robinson's nephew William Ostins, aged 20 months, suffers from the condition.
The match kicked off at 6pm at The Scholars ground, the home of Chasetown FC. Current sixth formers and teachers, along with players and managers made up the two opposing sides on the pitch.
Chasetown were managed by former Southampton and Walsall boss Chris Nicholl, while Walsall's head of youth Mick Halsall took charge of Chase Terrace.
Premiership referee Alan Wiley, who officiated last season's Carling Cup and FA Cup Finals, was in charge of proceedings and the half-time entertainment came from world-famous football freestyler Mr Woo.
Ben said: "It was a fantastic event. I'm over the moon. We have raised well over £5,000, which is tremendous"
Ben said on a personal level he was responsible for two bad tackles which resulted in a telling off from the referee.
He said: "Alan Wiley was the ref between Man U and Everton on Saturday and he told me my tackles were worse than anything he'd witnessed there."
He added: "We wanted to do something for the charity because it is close to hearts knowing that Will suffers from the condition." Ben will be running the New York Marathon in aid of the Trust in November.
