Stars from the world of sport, film and TV braved the terrible weather on Friday night for the first Heroes Cup, held at the Madejski Stadium, home of Reading football team (the Royals) and London Irish rugby union team.
The game was in aid of the Help the Heroes charity. The charity was founded in Spetember 2007 by Bryn Parry, a former member of The Royal Green Jackets. It helps provide better facilities for wounded service personnel.
Friday's match pitted an England XI side, managed by former West Ham manager Alan Curbishley, against a Rest of the World XI side, managed by former Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez.
The teams consisted of former footballers, other sportsmen such as cricketers and boxers and TV personalities.
England XI boasted former footballing greats Paul Gascoigne, Andy Cole, Dave Beasant and Guy Whittingham; the cricketers Darren Gough, Mark Ramprakash and Alec Stewart; rugby star Kyran Bracken; and celebrities such as Angus Deayton (who played Patrick in the classic BBC comedy series One Foot in the Grave), Simon Webbe of boyband Blue, and Soccer AM host Tim Lovejoy. Also in the England side were current, or former, members of the military, including Cpl Alex Woodhouse, Flt Lt Allan Pluckrose and Sgt James Lavelle.
The Rest of the World XI had the advantage of having its entire midfield composed of former footballers - German stars Steffen Freund, Lothar Matthaus and Stefan Schwarz, former Chelsea star and now manager of Brighton Gus Poyet, and former Blackburn star Tugay. Also starring for the Rest of the World XI was Welsh boxer Joe Calzaghe, former footballers Kenny Cunningham and Ian Dowie, Welsh 400m star Iwan Thomas and the Irish investigative journalist Donald MacIntyre. Their military stars included Fg OFF Kevin Thom and SAC Neil Thomas.
Once upon a time, English stars such as Paul Gascoigne and Andy Cole would have been deadly rivals to Germany's Steffen Freund, Lothar Matthaus and Stefan Schwartz. But this match proved that football is just a game, and there are far more serious battles occurring elsewhere in the world.
The fact that the Rest of the World XI had so many former footballers in their team (including their entire midfield) must have been an advantage, as they ran out deserved 4-1 winners.
The match was good-natured fun - with Gazza, of course, being a clown. At one point he pretended to writhe about on the floor in agony, and at another point he committed the most outrageous dive you'd ever see, almost bellyflopping on the ground, leaving the crowd in hysterics.
But the result doesn't matter. Helping Britain's servicemen and women is the important thing.
Stars shine in Heroes Cup despite the rain
By Matthew Sadler
November 13, 2009
Clown prince - Gazza in top form for the England XI despite the atrocious weather
England XI 1-4 Rest of the World XI
England: Dave Beasant, Steve Hodge, Des Walker, Neil Webb, Andy Sinton, Paul Gascoigne, Andrew Cole, Alec Stewart, Angus Deayton, Sgt James Lavelle.
Subs: Mark Wright, Guy Whittingham, Kerry Dixon, Paul Walsh, Kyran Bracken, Ralf Little, Rupert Graves, Chris Fountain, Mark Ramprakash, Darren Gough, Simon Webbe, Stephen Nicholas, Tim Lovejoy, Steve Johnson, Joe Roach, Cpl Alex Woodhouse, Flt Lt Allan Pluckrose.
*************************************************
Rest of the World: Paul Jones, Kenny Cunningham, Iain Dowie, Tugay, Steffen Freund, Stefan Schwarz, Gus Poyet, Lothar Matthaus, Sqn Ldr Craig Gill, Mauricio Taricco, Joe Calzaghe.
Subs: Michael Gilkes, Iwan Thomas, Johnny Nelson, Nico Mirallegro, Donal McIntyre, Steve O'Neil, Sgt Glen Davidson, SAC Neil Thomas, Salvatore Schillaci, Fg OFF Kevin Thom
Stars from the world of sport, film and music braved atrocious weather to join forces with servicemen at last night’s Heroes Cup held at Madejski Stadium.
The game in aid of the Help the Heroes charity, pitted Alan Curbishley’s England side against a Rest of the World XI managed by former Royal Lawrie Sanchez and was broadcast across the globe to all British troops currently in action.
Angus Deayton, who played Victor Meldrew's next door neighbour in BBC comedy series "One Foot in the Grave" was one of the stars of the England XI side
The crowd were treated to Army Sergeant Major Darren Bryce delivering the matchball by zip wire before showing their appreciation as servicemen marched onto the pitch just prior to the players’ arrivals.
Both teams and the crowd then served an impeccable minute’s silence, remembering those who the charity has been set up to help.
The two sides boasted some of the biggest names around, ranging from former undisputed boxing champion Joe Calzaghe to football greats Paul Gascoigne and Lothar Matthaus.
It was Gascoigne who had the honour of leading the England side out, while World Cup winner Matthaus skippered the World team.
Reading FC were well represented on the sidelines with football consultant Frank Lampard senior and skipper Ivar Ingimarsson in opposing dugouts as assistant managers of the two teams.
Neil Webb was the only former Royal to start the game, lining up alongside former England internationals Dave Beasant, Steve Hodge, Des Walker, Andy Sinton, Gascoigne and Andrew Cole with cricket legend Alec Stewart, television personality Angus Deayton and Sgt James Lavelle, the Navy’s Football Development Officer, completing the line-up.
The Rest of the World team also sent out the majority of their ex-professional players at the start with Paul Jones, Kenny Cunningham, Iain Dowie, Tugay, Steffan Freund Stefan Schwarz, Gus Poyet, Matthaus, Mauricio Taricco all lining up.
Calazaghe and Sqn. Ldr Craig Gill, who has 23 years service in the RAF, were also on from kick-off
It was the World side that were much the stronger with Matthaus, Dowie and Poyet scoring early on. It could have been even worse for England had it not been for some superb stops from Beasant and for the woodwork as Tugay cracked a 25-yard effort against the bar.
Former Leicester City and Germany star Steffen Freund starred for the Rest of the World XI in the charity match
But unsurprisingly it was Gazza who was entertainer-in-chief as he first turned Calzaghe inside out before pretending to writhe around the floor in agony and then produced a perfect-ten dive with no other player within touching distance.
Former Reading favourite Michael Gilkes received one of the biggest cheers of the night when he replaced Dowie and England gave the first-half scoreline some respectability when Guy Whittingham fired home with two minutes remaining.
The half-time entertainment was provided by servicemen who showcased their fighting skills as they demonstrated Army techniques and throws on the pitch.
Former England rugby union player Kyran Bracken and singer Simon Webbe joined in, teaming up on an unsuspecting soldier.
Gazza’s fun was over for the night when he left the field five minutes after the break. The England legend was given a fantastic standing ovation as he came off and with play very much restricted to the midfield area for a 10-minute spell the crowd showed once again showed their support to the armed forces with repeated chants of ‘the Army’.
Gilkes hit the post when one-on-one with Beasant before Thomas added number four for the World side from close range to seal a 4-1 win.
Navy Football Development Officer Steve Johnson, Cpl Shaun Foster, Cpl Alex Woodhouse and Flt Lt Allan Pluckrose all entered the frame during the second half for England, while Sgt Glen Davidson, Steve O’Neil, who works as a specialist in rehabilitation at HMNB Clyde, Sac Neil Thomas and Fg OFF Kevin Thom all came on for the World side.
After the game Royals captain Ingimarsson said: “I just let the proper players do it on the pitch. They did very well and it was a good occasion. It was great to see all those people come together for a good cause.
“It could have been better weather, but I am sure many people watched it at home and were hopefully opening their wallets. It is important to look after all the people who are serving. Frank (Lampard senior) said to me after the game that I’ll be running in training tomorrow now.”
Former Liverpool, Manchester City and England striker admitted he had no hesitation in agreeing to take part.
He said: “It’s always great to get together with the lads, but even better when it is for a good cause. I’m a big believer in looking after the troops and when I got asked I said yes straight away because you hear everyday how some of them are struggling when they get home. It’s a good occasion to raise money for a very good cause.
getreading.co.uk
The game was in aid of the Help the Heroes charity. The charity was founded in Spetember 2007 by Bryn Parry, a former member of The Royal Green Jackets. It helps provide better facilities for wounded service personnel.
Friday's match pitted an England XI side, managed by former West Ham manager Alan Curbishley, against a Rest of the World XI side, managed by former Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez.
The teams consisted of former footballers, other sportsmen such as cricketers and boxers and TV personalities.
England XI boasted former footballing greats Paul Gascoigne, Andy Cole, Dave Beasant and Guy Whittingham; the cricketers Darren Gough, Mark Ramprakash and Alec Stewart; rugby star Kyran Bracken; and celebrities such as Angus Deayton (who played Patrick in the classic BBC comedy series One Foot in the Grave), Simon Webbe of boyband Blue, and Soccer AM host Tim Lovejoy. Also in the England side were current, or former, members of the military, including Cpl Alex Woodhouse, Flt Lt Allan Pluckrose and Sgt James Lavelle.
The Rest of the World XI had the advantage of having its entire midfield composed of former footballers - German stars Steffen Freund, Lothar Matthaus and Stefan Schwarz, former Chelsea star and now manager of Brighton Gus Poyet, and former Blackburn star Tugay. Also starring for the Rest of the World XI was Welsh boxer Joe Calzaghe, former footballers Kenny Cunningham and Ian Dowie, Welsh 400m star Iwan Thomas and the Irish investigative journalist Donald MacIntyre. Their military stars included Fg OFF Kevin Thom and SAC Neil Thomas.
Once upon a time, English stars such as Paul Gascoigne and Andy Cole would have been deadly rivals to Germany's Steffen Freund, Lothar Matthaus and Stefan Schwartz. But this match proved that football is just a game, and there are far more serious battles occurring elsewhere in the world.
The fact that the Rest of the World XI had so many former footballers in their team (including their entire midfield) must have been an advantage, as they ran out deserved 4-1 winners.
The match was good-natured fun - with Gazza, of course, being a clown. At one point he pretended to writhe about on the floor in agony, and at another point he committed the most outrageous dive you'd ever see, almost bellyflopping on the ground, leaving the crowd in hysterics.
But the result doesn't matter. Helping Britain's servicemen and women is the important thing.
Stars shine in Heroes Cup despite the rain
By Matthew Sadler
November 13, 2009
Clown prince - Gazza in top form for the England XI despite the atrocious weather
England XI 1-4 Rest of the World XI
England: Dave Beasant, Steve Hodge, Des Walker, Neil Webb, Andy Sinton, Paul Gascoigne, Andrew Cole, Alec Stewart, Angus Deayton, Sgt James Lavelle.
Subs: Mark Wright, Guy Whittingham, Kerry Dixon, Paul Walsh, Kyran Bracken, Ralf Little, Rupert Graves, Chris Fountain, Mark Ramprakash, Darren Gough, Simon Webbe, Stephen Nicholas, Tim Lovejoy, Steve Johnson, Joe Roach, Cpl Alex Woodhouse, Flt Lt Allan Pluckrose.
*************************************************
Rest of the World: Paul Jones, Kenny Cunningham, Iain Dowie, Tugay, Steffen Freund, Stefan Schwarz, Gus Poyet, Lothar Matthaus, Sqn Ldr Craig Gill, Mauricio Taricco, Joe Calzaghe.
Subs: Michael Gilkes, Iwan Thomas, Johnny Nelson, Nico Mirallegro, Donal McIntyre, Steve O'Neil, Sgt Glen Davidson, SAC Neil Thomas, Salvatore Schillaci, Fg OFF Kevin Thom
Stars from the world of sport, film and music braved atrocious weather to join forces with servicemen at last night’s Heroes Cup held at Madejski Stadium.
The game in aid of the Help the Heroes charity, pitted Alan Curbishley’s England side against a Rest of the World XI managed by former Royal Lawrie Sanchez and was broadcast across the globe to all British troops currently in action.
Angus Deayton, who played Victor Meldrew's next door neighbour in BBC comedy series "One Foot in the Grave" was one of the stars of the England XI side
The crowd were treated to Army Sergeant Major Darren Bryce delivering the matchball by zip wire before showing their appreciation as servicemen marched onto the pitch just prior to the players’ arrivals.
Both teams and the crowd then served an impeccable minute’s silence, remembering those who the charity has been set up to help.
The two sides boasted some of the biggest names around, ranging from former undisputed boxing champion Joe Calzaghe to football greats Paul Gascoigne and Lothar Matthaus.
It was Gascoigne who had the honour of leading the England side out, while World Cup winner Matthaus skippered the World team.
Reading FC were well represented on the sidelines with football consultant Frank Lampard senior and skipper Ivar Ingimarsson in opposing dugouts as assistant managers of the two teams.
Neil Webb was the only former Royal to start the game, lining up alongside former England internationals Dave Beasant, Steve Hodge, Des Walker, Andy Sinton, Gascoigne and Andrew Cole with cricket legend Alec Stewart, television personality Angus Deayton and Sgt James Lavelle, the Navy’s Football Development Officer, completing the line-up.
The Rest of the World team also sent out the majority of their ex-professional players at the start with Paul Jones, Kenny Cunningham, Iain Dowie, Tugay, Steffan Freund Stefan Schwarz, Gus Poyet, Matthaus, Mauricio Taricco all lining up.
Calazaghe and Sqn. Ldr Craig Gill, who has 23 years service in the RAF, were also on from kick-off
It was the World side that were much the stronger with Matthaus, Dowie and Poyet scoring early on. It could have been even worse for England had it not been for some superb stops from Beasant and for the woodwork as Tugay cracked a 25-yard effort against the bar.
Former Leicester City and Germany star Steffen Freund starred for the Rest of the World XI in the charity match
But unsurprisingly it was Gazza who was entertainer-in-chief as he first turned Calzaghe inside out before pretending to writhe around the floor in agony and then produced a perfect-ten dive with no other player within touching distance.
Former Reading favourite Michael Gilkes received one of the biggest cheers of the night when he replaced Dowie and England gave the first-half scoreline some respectability when Guy Whittingham fired home with two minutes remaining.
The half-time entertainment was provided by servicemen who showcased their fighting skills as they demonstrated Army techniques and throws on the pitch.
Former England rugby union player Kyran Bracken and singer Simon Webbe joined in, teaming up on an unsuspecting soldier.
Gazza’s fun was over for the night when he left the field five minutes after the break. The England legend was given a fantastic standing ovation as he came off and with play very much restricted to the midfield area for a 10-minute spell the crowd showed once again showed their support to the armed forces with repeated chants of ‘the Army’.
Gilkes hit the post when one-on-one with Beasant before Thomas added number four for the World side from close range to seal a 4-1 win.
Navy Football Development Officer Steve Johnson, Cpl Shaun Foster, Cpl Alex Woodhouse and Flt Lt Allan Pluckrose all entered the frame during the second half for England, while Sgt Glen Davidson, Steve O’Neil, who works as a specialist in rehabilitation at HMNB Clyde, Sac Neil Thomas and Fg OFF Kevin Thom all came on for the World side.
After the game Royals captain Ingimarsson said: “I just let the proper players do it on the pitch. They did very well and it was a good occasion. It was great to see all those people come together for a good cause.
“It could have been better weather, but I am sure many people watched it at home and were hopefully opening their wallets. It is important to look after all the people who are serving. Frank (Lampard senior) said to me after the game that I’ll be running in training tomorrow now.”
Former Liverpool, Manchester City and England striker admitted he had no hesitation in agreeing to take part.
He said: “It’s always great to get together with the lads, but even better when it is for a good cause. I’m a big believer in looking after the troops and when I got asked I said yes straight away because you hear everyday how some of them are struggling when they get home. It’s a good occasion to raise money for a very good cause.
getreading.co.uk
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