A CHARITY football match between Stourbridge old boys and West Bromwich Albion legends has raised more than £20,000 for the Mary Stevens Hospice.

The game was played at Stourbridge’s War Memorial Athletic Ground in front of a maximum capacity crowd of more than 3,000 people as the teams competed for the Jane Webb Memorial Trophy, in remembrance of a hospice fundraiser.

As part of the event, a huge family fun day, a sporting auction, and the opportunity for local children to have an once-in-a-lifetime matchday experience, as mascots, ball-children or flag-bearers also took place.

Crowds were also treated to a mascot assault course, with characters from the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Toys 'R' Us, The Tenth Lock and Mommy’s Mascots taking part in a chaotic obstacle course, which saw Baggie Bird steal an unlikely, late victory.

Stourbridge News:

After raising £15,000 in its debut year in 2016, event co-founders Matt Webb and Mark Naylor found themselves “absolutely amazed” by the support the day received this year from supporters, players and volunteers.

More than 40 players took part in the match, including 15 former-pros, including Darren "Big Dave" Moore (pictured below with Mayor of Dudley, Cllr Mohammed Hanif), Richard Sneekes, Bob Taylor, Nigel Quashie, Geoff Horsfield and Des Lyttle.

Stourbridge News:

Captaining the Baggies side for two years in a row, Moore delighted fans by playing in goal for 15 minutes at the end of the second half, before running the length of the pitch to take and score a penalty.​

Albion ran out 6-4 winners in a hotly-contested match under the sweltering April sun, while the Mayor of Dudley was also on hand to meet the children involved in the day and to chat to players before kick-off, alongside the hospice CEO, Captain Stevan Jackson.

Stourbridge News:

Event co-founder Matt, Stourbridge legends captain, said: “It really is just still sinking in. When you look around, and all you can see is just thousands of families enjoying the day it brings it all home.

“I can't tell everyone involved how grateful I am for making the day possible, and thank you so much to the thousands of people who came along and supported the match. I hope they all enjoyed it and we can't wait to go again. We've got a trophy to win back.”

Stourbridge News:

Fellow co-founder Mark, WBA legends manager and the club’s academy goalkeeping coach, said: “I don't think I've ever experienced anything like that.

“To have such overwhelming support from the local community, the clubs, the charities and everyone else involved was absolutely incredible and the end result of all of that hard work was a day that we'll never forget.

“A lot of the lads have already signed up to be there next year, so we're confident of retaining our title and can't wait to do it all again.”

After the game, a sporting auction and post-match party took place in the Stourbridge FC club house, with signed and match-worn memorabilia donated by a plethora of first-team Albion stars including Ben Foster, Gareth McAuley, James Morrison, Chris Brunt and the recently-departed Jonas Olsson.

Stourbridge News:

 

Amanda Bowen, deputy fundraising and lottery manager, said: “Matt and Mark simply can't be praised highly enough for what they've done.

“It's not just the fact that they've paid for so many families to receive our care when they need it most, it's the day they create for the community.

“They bring people together to simply enjoy being together as a family and watch absolute superstars roll back the years. The work that has gone into this event has been absolutely huge, and to see it all come together in the way it did was just so special.

“So we'd like to say thank you to the supporters who turned up in their thousands, the volunteers who make days like this possible, the staff who have worked so hard, West Bromwich Albion and Stourbridge for being so, so supportive of the event.

“And, maybe most importantly, Jane Webb for raising such an incredibly kind-hearted man. She also took care of the weather, which was more than we could ever have asked.”

Stourbridge News:

Thousands in attendance at the match also perfectly observed a minute’s silence before kick-off, to pay their respects to the Wilkinson family, who were the victims of a fatal stabbing at their Norton home on Thursday.

For more images and videos from the day, visit the hospice Facebook page at www.facebook.com/marystevenshospice