Morecambe FC’s Globe Arena is hosting the seventh annual soap stars football match organised by Heysham power stations to raise money for a number of charities this coming Sunday (24th July).
This will be the first game played at Morecambe’s new ground and will feature the All Stars team that includes Ralf Little (pictured), Ryan Thomas, Alaso Halsal, Ricky Whittle and Dannt Miller in its ranks.
More famous faces will confirm nearer to the kick off.
Samuel Aston, who plays Chesney in Coronation Street, is also in the line-up. He made a guest appearance at last year’s at Barrow when a crowd of 2000 saw the All Stars clock up their sixth consecutive victory against the Bay Radio XI, which is made up of the power station’s finest.
“We had a great welcome in Barrow last year, but we are looking forward to playing in Morecambe again,” says Mike Grimmitt of Heysham 2 power station which organises the event. “Having spoken to the All Stars team, I know they enjoy this match very much as the crowd is always great and they are looking forward to playing at The Globe too.”
Paralympics GB and CancerCare are set to benefit from the day as every penny raised will go them, which is being sponsored by several local companies.
Matt Dimbylon played in the GB football side at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and is hoping to play in London 2012.
“Football within the Paralympics movement is not as high profile as say athletics or swimming, but we will be in with a chance of medals in 2012,” said Matt, “if we carry on working hard and also finding other new players to improve the squad.”
“This event is now into its seventh year and with Bay Radio’s support we have seen crowds of 2-3,000 at Christie Park and we’d love to get 4,000 at The Globe,” adds Mike.
“It’s a great day out, the celebrities are so generous with their time, playing for free, and posing for pictures and signing autographs. So it has to be a must-see for every soap and TV fan.”
David Durnford, the owner of Smallworld Cable business, who is one of the event’s sponsors said: “This promises to be nail biting viewing and what better way is there to raise money for local charities than by watching the world’s most beautiful game whilst doing a bit of star spotting.”
The final line-up to the Soap Stars team will be announced before kick-off, but the crowd will be guaranteed a grandstand view of their TV favourites.
• Gates open at The Globe at 12 noon, with the game kicking off at 1pm. Admission at the turnstiles for the day is £5 for adults and £3 for children and £12 for a family.