Manchester United Legends to visit Worthing this weekend as event sees 'unbelievable demand’
Some star names are set to feature in a match between legends of Manchester United and Worthing on Sunday (March 26).
Tickets have sold out for the much-anticipated charity game, with more than 3,000 people expected to watch the action at Worthing’s Woodside Road on Sunday, March 26. All proceeds from the game will be going to Deafkidz International – a small Brighton-based charity, dedicated to the safeguarding and protection of deaf children and young people worldwide.
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Hide AdWes Brown, David May, Lee Martin and Keith Gillespie were the first Manchester United players confirmed to be playing, before the full teams were revealed by Worthing Football Club on its website on March 10.
Paul Crane, general manager at Worthing Football Club, helped to organise the event after the club was asked to host the game by ex-footballer John Price.
Paul said: “John, who works in the NHS, has been instrumental in connecting DeafKidz International with us to host their football game.
“John plays with the England Veterans and knows some of the players from Man United. They’ve done this a couple of times and hosted a similar event in Hastings.”
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Hide AdPaul said the event is ‘fantastic for the town’ and there has been ‘unbelievable demand’.
"We’re a sell-out, so that’s brilliant,” Paul said. “It also gives players from the past the chance to come back to the ground and play against ex-Champions League players and winners.
"We look forward to seeing them all again. It’s an unbelievable experience for all those taking part in the game.
"We are very fortunate and we appreciate being approached to host it. It will be a great day out for people.”
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Hide AdThe Manchester Utd squad will include Nick Culkin, Russell Beardsmore, Ben Thornley, Danny Simpson, Chris Casper, Danny Webber and Luke Chadwick. Additionally there will be guest appearances from former Sunderland and England full back Michael Gray, former Aston Villa and England midfielder Lee Hendrie and Wes Morgan, a Premier League title winning captain with Leicester City.
Worthing Legends, meanwhile, will be spearheaded by the management team of Keith Rowley, Sammy Donnelly and Mick Fogden.
The club said: “There will be lots of familiar faces on show, particularly for those that followed the club in the 90s/early 2000s, none more so than all time record appearance holder Mark Knee, who made 462 appearances for the club between 1998-2014.”
Tickets for the VIP experience at Worthing Pavilion Bowls Club have also now sold out
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Hide AdPaul said: “We are partnering with them to make sure it’s a successful day.
"We will have interpreters there on the day, with visual guides. We will be making it as accessible as possible.”