Hospice on the ball with soccer fund-raiser

An evening of funny stories, memories and fun with well-known footballers past and present will be held in Tameside in aid of Willow Wood Hospice. 

The fifth annual Willow Wood Football Night takes place at Dukinfield Masonic Hall on Friday 1st November from 8pm.  

Over the years, football favourites such as Martin Buchan, Peter Barnes, Eamon O’Keefe, Trevor Ross and Tommy Booth have appeared to help raise money for the Hospice.    

This year, Manchester United and England star Ella Toone will tell her fascinating story of being a lifelong United fan and how she joined the club as a junior before moving because there wasn’t a senior women’s team at the time.  

Spells at Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City followed, as she progressed through England’s Under-17s and Under-19s levels before returning to United in 2018 when they re-introduced a women’s team.  

Also part of the line-up is former Manchester City goalkeeper Alex Williams MBE, who will explain his life in football and the work he went to specialise in after his days between the posts for City.  

Ex-City kitman and club legend Les Chapman will be appearing, with some hilarious stories from inside the City dressing room. As a midfielder, he played in the Football League between 1966 and 1987, making 749 appearances, before spells in coaching with Stockport County, Preston North End, Huddersfield Town and Manchester City.  

Completing the guest list is Joe Bunney, who played in the Football League for the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Hartlepool United and Rochdale as well as at non-league level for Ashton United, Macclesfield and Lancaster City among others.  

Joe, who still plays today, has a wealth of information about the life of a player earning a living in the sport and insight into the difficulties and opportunities faced by young footballers.  

They will be in conversation with former top-flight referee Roger Dilkes, who will be the Master of Ceremonies for the night.  

The popular event is organised by Brian Wild and Chris Smith, who are long-time supporters of Willow Wood.   

They are hoping to raise a record £5,000 this year for the Hospice – which provides specialist, compassionate and dignified care to patients from Tameside and Glossop with life-limiting illnesses. 

“We’ve raised thousands for the Hospice over the years and many people have a real connection with the work the Hospice does – it touches almost every family at some point of their lives,” said Brian Wild, who is a patron of the Hospice.  

“The Football Night always sells out early and the tickets get snapped up. I take my hat off to these sportspeople that give up their time for free to entertain the 200-plus audience.”  

Vanessa Murphy-Wood, Community Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, commented: “Without people like Brian and Chris organising these events, Willow Wood would not continue to operate so we cannot thank them enough.  

“Putting on these events make a massive difference. If you’re a football fan, or just want a good night out, please get a ticket if you can and help support the Hospice.”    

Tickets are £15 each, which includes pie and mushy peas, and can be bought by calling 0161 718 7911.