Nick Shaw
6:59pm, Mon 22nd Feb 2016
Woking Football Club is thrilled to announce that a Celebrity XI team will be playing a Woking Legends team on Thursday 10th March at The Laithwaite Community Stadium, 7pm kick off.
The match will be raising money to help cover the treatment and rehabilitation costs of Woking players Scott Rendell & Ismail Yakubu. Supporters have been fantastic this season in raising money to help the club with these costs, and Woking Football Club would like to send their deepest thanks to everyone who has helped and donated to this cause, it truly shows what amazing fans we have.
Some of the stars playing for the Celebrity XI team will be former Southampton legend
Matt Le Tissier, who played over 400 matches for the Saints, scoring over 150 goals with nearly 50 coming from the penalty spot, so we know who will be taking them on the day! Joining 'Le Tiss' will be fellow Sky Sports Soccer Saturday panelist
Paul Merson. The former Arsenal star scored well over 100 goals in his career, playing in the Premier League for the Gunners, Middlesbrough & Aston Villa.
Their opposition for the day in the Woking Legends team includes fans' favourite
Dereck Brown, who played over 200 matches for the Cards between 1990-95, scoring the first goal for Woking at Wembley against Runcorn in the 1994 FA Trophy win. Alongside Dereck in midfield will be first team coach and former player
Steve Thompson, scorer of Woking’s last minute equaliser against Coventry City in the 3rd Round of The FA Cup in 1997. Two-time FA Trophy winner
Andy Ellis will also be joining Dereck & Thommo in the midfield.
Scott Steele &
Kevin Betsy will be bringing the flair to the team, with a solid defence being martialed by
Lloyd Wye, who made over 500 appearances for the Cards, the 2nd highest in the club’s history, helping Woking win three promotions and three FA Trophies. Joining Lloydy in defence will be
Adam Newton,
Kevan Brown,
John Nutter and former New Zealand international
Scott Smith.
A Woking Legends team wouldn't be complete without
Geoff Chapple, who will be managing the team on the day. The five-time FA Trophy winning manager commented on this exciting match:
“It’s going to be a game full of goals, excitement and good football and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a terrific cause; all money raised goes towards the treatment of Scott Rendell & Ismail Yakubu.�
Managing the Celebrity XI team will be club sponsor Andrew Laithwaite, director of Laithwaite Financial Services Ltd, who commented:
“I am really looking forward to the challenge of managing a team featuring former international players, and would like to encourage all fans, if you’re free, to come to the game on Thursday 10th March!�
Other stars playing for the Celeb team include former Woking manager & Southampton player
Glenn Cockerill. Providing the goals for the team will be
Paul Walsh, whose former clubs include Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and Manchester City. Partnering Paul up top will be ex-Sheffield Wednesday player
Gordon Watson and former Leeds star
Ian Baird.
Sponsoring this fantastic match will be Knights Group Worldwide, leading provider of security to sporting events including all matches at The Laithwaite Community Stadium. We are grateful for their on-going support of the club.
This exciting event will sure to entertain supporters of all ages, with other attractions including a Bouncy Castle and Marching Band, so bring the whole family on Thursday 10th March and help raise money for your club! Gates open at 5.30pm.
Admission is £10 for adults, £5 for concessions, and FREE for under 16s!
So far the event has already raised over £5000 with sponsors paying to play on both sides. Woking Football Club hopes with everyone’s support in spreading the word about this exciting match we can raise even more to help with Scott & Ismail’s treatment costs.
Woking Legends Provisional Squad managed by Geoff Chapple:
Stuart Baverstock, Adam Newton, Lloyd Wye, Scott Smith, Kevan Brown, Kevin Betsy, Steve Thompson, Andy Ellis, Dereck Brown, John Nutter, Scott Steele.
Celebrity Provisional Squad managed by Andrew Laithwaite:
Matt Le Tissier, Paul Merson, Paul Walsh, Ian Baird, Gordon Watson, Glenn Cockerill, Adi Aymes, David Hughes.
For more information on the event please contact Elliot Machin on elliot.machin@wokingfc.co.uk or 07791 162672.
