Football in the Community Officer Kirk Wheeler has confirmed that the Charity football match being staged at the Recreation Ground on Sunday April 9 2006 (2.00pm) has attracted a great response from former Shots legends and celebrities alike.
If you would like to bid for a starting place in the Shots Legends team bids are currently being accepted for one player to the highest bidder.
If you are interested in playing on the day please contact Andy Morgan at the football club offices on 01252 320211 with your bid. The closing date is Friday (April 7).
Talking to www.theshots.co.uk Kirk said, "I have been pleasantly surprised how keen everybody is in supporting this match and in doing so supporting the Aldershot Partners Disability Programme".
The Celebrity team will be manager by former England international Luther Blissett and it will be based around the team that was managed by Graham Taylor and Luther in the Sky Television programme "The Match".
Already confirmed in their starting line up are GMTV presenter Ben Shepherd, former England Cricket captain Alec Stewart. Warren Barton, the former Newcastle United defender has also agreed to play. Royle Family and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps star Ralf Little is also in the squad alongside his old compatriot and former Shots player MC Harvey. Popular actor and Sheffield Wednesday supporter Tommy Craig will also feature. Tommy made his name in Where The Heart Is and Coronation Street. Further names are to be added to the celebrity squad and further details will be provided in the Cambridge United programme.
The latest additions to the celebrity squad are now confirmed as:
Jonathon Wilkes, Geoff Brazier, DJ Spoonie, comedian Mike McLean and a number of players from Sky TV's Dream Team will also be present. The full squad will be available by Tuesday of next week.
The Aldershot Town Legends side will comprise of the following:
Goalkeeper
Gary Phillips
Defenders
Stuart Cash, Andy Nunn, Jason Chewins, Stuart Udal, Ray Warburton
Midfield
Colin Fielder, Martin Kuhl, Ian McDonald
Forwards
Gary Abbott, Mark Butler, Terry Brown, Steve Stairs, Johnson Hippolyte
Manager: Joe Jopling
There will be further additions to the list too. The match will see Mark Butler and Gary Abbott pair up together for the first time at the Recreation Ground. They did feature at Farnborough Town FC a couple of years ago in a charity fundraiser for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice.
Former Assistant Manager Stuart Cash said, "I am looking forward to coming back to the Rec and playing. I never say no to anything where Aldershot Town are concerned. They were so good to me in my career over the years and I had some great times at the club. I look forward to playing with some great footballers. I am sure that I am still fit and healthy! I also look forward to mixing with old colleagues after the match too. Footballers have a habit of not being the best at keeping in touch with each other. It should be a good day with money being raised for good causes too".
Regarding where the funds raised from the Charity day will go Kirk Wheeler explains further, "The monies will go towards special needs children and adults within the area. The Community Scheme has teamed up with Rushmoor Borough Council, the School Sports Partnership for North East Hants, the Army and local disability groups. We are aiming to provide weekly sessions throughout the area and in schools too and it it our aim to raise funds for this project. It is important to raise the profile of these local groups. The project that we are trying to implement could be a five year plan. We are hoping that we receive Football Foundation funding and if we are fortunate to receive that then we will need to raise 40% of the funds through our own initiatives of which this is the first one".
Regarding Luther Blissett, Kirk continues stating that he first got to know Luther in his days as Community Officer at Watford, "I have known Luther for many years now. He is always getting involved in supporting local charities. We have played in many tournaments together and it is great that he has agreed to help benefit the local charities through this new initiative at Aldershot. I am grateful to him for supporting the scheme. There should be two very strong sides for this match and it should be entertaining viewing".
With regard to ticket sales Kirk said, "Tickets for the match will be available shortly from the ticket office. We are also distributing tickets within local schools too. They will be priced at £5 for a single admission or £10 for a Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children)."
Further announcements will be made on www.theshots.co.uk and in the local press regarding the Charity match on Sunday April 9 2006.
We'll also be helping to promote the event here at Shots Mad too and would recommend everyone get behind the project.