All set for the big kick-off

Jun 28 2007 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

EUROPEAN Cup winner and Liverpool legend Alan Kennedy, fellow reds forward John Durnin and Welsh Rugby Union international and Llanelli Scarlets captain Robin McBryde are the latest additions to a star-studded line-up playing in a charity football match at Colwyn Bay’s Arena at Colwyn Leisure Centre this Sunday.

Sky Sports cameras will also be present at the match at Eirias Park, sponsored by Merlin Sports (Legea), as will their sports correspondent Bryn Law who will also be donning his boots for the game, which is raising funds for T Gobaith children’s hospice in Ty’n-y-Groes.

Already confirmed in the line-up is Liverpool’s Ian Rush and Manchester United’s Mickey Thomas and Peter Davenport, as well as ex-Coronation Street actor Bruce Jones and Thin Lizzy’s Darren Wharton.

Wrexham and Liverpool striker Lee Jones is also set to share a formidable partnership with ex-Man Utd forward Deiniol Graham, while Clwyd West AM Darren Millar, Coast FM DJ Scott Lawson, Conwy councillor Mike Priestley and cast members from S4C’s Rownd a Rownd will also be part of the celebrity XI playing against a North Wales Weekly News side.

Five times winner of the old Division One and twice European Cup winner Alan Kennedy adds even more top draw pedigree to the celebrity side. The former Liverpool fullback, still a regular for the Reds’ Masters team, believes the celeb side, which includes six ex-professional footballers, would be too much for the media’s motley crew, but said younger legs could provide goals for the more youthful side!

“Everybody stands a chance while the score remains 0-0,” he said. “But once the forwards Ian Rush and Peter Davenport get the ball, we won’t see it. Forwards can be greedy, but as long as we provide the chances they will take them.

“It’s always nice to play in these games, but at the end of the day the footballers still want to win! It will be interesting to see which position people think I’ll be playing in – people remember me as a marauding fullback but these days I play in midfield and central defence. Wherever the ball is I won’t be there!” joked Alan.

“I think the final score will be 6-2 to the celebs.”

Actor Bruce Jones predicted a less sympathetic scoreline: “The Weekly News team won’t beat us, not with the players we’ve got.

“In my experience players tend to get more aggressive as they get older. I’m really looking forward to the game and think we’ll win easily 3-0.”

However, Welsh international rugby star Robin McBryde had a far more menacing message to any players who might linger too long on the ball.

“It depends on the scoreline whether or not I remember I’m playing football not rugby, but basically it is ‘win at all costs’,” he said.

“If needs must, journalists’ legs don’t count!”

Weekly News coach Richard Evans said his team was fired up for the match.

“We’ve had a few training sessions, I really don’t know what to expect – we know they’re better footballers, but most of our players are generally younger and in their mid to late 20s and early 30s,” he said.

“Saying that, none of us are particularly match-fit and you can’t make up 20 years of professional football in a couple of training sessions – one thing’s for sure, we’ll give it our best shot.”

The Weekly News and T Gobaith would like to thank the anonymous person who kindly donated £300 to pay for the match balls and celebrities’ kit for the event. Both the kits and balls will be signed and auctioned in aid of T Gobaith.

richard.evans

The match kicks off at the Arena at Colwyn Leisure Centre, Eirias Park at 3pm. Problems with the stands at Colwyn Bay Football Club has meant the match has been moved down the road. Early arrival is advised and tickets are available on the day priced £4 adults and £2 children. Call Richard Evans on 01492 574481 or e-mail richard.evans@northwalesnews.co.uk for more details. Also, log on to www.merlin-sports.co.uk