Football legends help raise £3,000 for charity

Bryan Robson (second from the right)
Bryan Robson (second from the right) and Shaun Goater (third from the right) played in the charity match at The Manchester Gramma School

Footballing legends Shaun Goater and Bryan Robson laced up their boots today to raise money for Macmillan.

A charity football match was held at The Manchester Grammar School in memory of Stuart Dale, a former porter at MGS who passed away after a battle with cancer in 2005.

An All-Star XI made up of MGS parents, which included former Manchester City star Goater and ex-England and Manchester United legend Bryan Robson, took on a team of MGS teachers in glorious sunshine.

And it proved to be a very one-sided affair as the All-Stars triumphed 6-0 to lift the Stuart Dale Memorial Trophy.

But the real winner was the amount raised, with so far more than £3,000 raised for Macmillan.

Boys at MGS also showed their support by paying to wear their own clothes for the day, with all proceeds donated to Macmillan.

Robson said: “It’s always nice to see so many people giving up their time to raise money for charity.

Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson

“Macmillan is such a worthwhile cause and they do such great work to help people whose lives are affected by cancer, so I’m pleased to be here at The Manchester Grammar School to help raise money for MacMillan.”

Simon Jones, director of development at The Manchester Grammar School, said: “Stuart was a much-loved porter and he is still very much missed.

“Every year, we hold a football match in Stuart’s honour to raise money for Macmillan and the incredible work they do to help those affected by cancer.

“Millions of people in the UK have been touched by cancer and I know there are boys, staff and parents within the MGS community who have also been affected by cancer like Stuart’s family have, so the MacMillan charity is one close to our hearts here at MGS.

“It was fantastic to see so many boys and staff donate to the charity and turn out for the match to show their support from the touchlines, and I would like to say a big thank you to all those players who gave up their time, dusted off their boots and shinpads and took part in the match.

“Together, we have raised more than £3,000 for Macmillan and we are honoured to have raised so much money in Stuart’s memory.

“That money will make a huge difference to help people and their families who are affected by cancer so again my thanks to everyone involved.”

Becky Bainton, fundraising manager for Macmillan, added: “Thank you so much to everyone involved in the match today. Raising over £3,000 will go such a long way to helping the lives of people affected by cancer and their families.

“We really would not be able to reach as many people as we do without amazing support like this.”