SOCCER AID

(from Initial)

Presented by Ant and Dec, SOCCER AID sees World Cup legends and top celebrities go head-to-head in an England versus The Rest of The World football match, all in aid of charity UNICEF.

The brainchild of UNICEF ambassador ROBBIE WILLIAMS and JONATHAN WILKES, Soccer Aid, last held at Old Trafford in 2006, attracted a host of world class players and celebrities including DIEGO MARADONA, DAVID GINOLA, PATRICK KIELTY, GIANFRANCO ZOLA, PAUL GASCOIGNE and JAMIE REDKNAPP.  The all star match raised an impressive £2.6 million for UNICEF’s work with partners for children around the world.

This year’s event took place on the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium with Portsmouth boss HARRY REDKNAPP managing the England team and legendary Scot KENNY DALGLISH taking the helm for the rest of the world.

The England squad saw star players including legends JAMIE REDKNAPP, ALAN SHEARER and DAVID SEAMAN, as well as celebrities including CRAIG DAVID, ANGUS DEAYTON, DANNY JONES, JAMIE THEAKSTON and BEN SHEPHARD.
 
The rest of the world team saw ALASTAIR CAMPBELL, PATRICK KIELTY, BRIAN McFADDEN and NICKY BYRNE joined by legends such as PETER SCHMEICHEL, JAAP STAM, FRANCO BARESI and ROMARIO.

GORDON RAMSAY captained the Rest of the World, but team England had a new skipper in JONATHAN WILKES after Robbie Williams passed on his captain’s armband.

The four hour extravaganza was broadcast on 7th September on ITV1 and followed the players as they spent the week training and competing for a coveted place in the starting line-ups.