FOOTBALLING legends and celebrity stars are set to take to the field at the humble home of Chard Town FC.
Comedian Russell Howard, actor Ralph Little and ex-Premier League striker Omer Riza are among the first wave of names to be announced for a new Arsenal FC Charity XI match.
However, more headline names, including one of Arsenal’s greatest ever goalscorers, could be revealed at a later date.
The game will see the celebrities and former footballers face off against a team assembled by local babyloss charity Single Yellow Rose.
The charity was set up by Daisy and Lee Hutchings after their daughter, Belle, was stillborn, and they have carried out a number of fund-raising events over the past year.
This includes a black-tie event which raised £5,500, and will fund a special memorial garden in Chard.
Now, Lee has taken charge of bringing the famous Arsenal charity team to the town, being a life-long Gooner himself.
He said: “I contacted the club because I knew they had a charity team, and they agreed because we are raising money for Single Yellow Rose.
“The game will be raising money for Arsenal’s youth foundation as well.
“We have organised food vendors, a hog roast, ice cream, and a burger van.
“Chard Town FC has given us the pitch free of charge, and they are opening the bar so there is money to be made for the local economy, too.”
Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for under-16s. Children under five will go free.
Included in the price of adult tickets will also be a souvenir programme.
Lee, who will line up as the captain of the Single Yellow Rose side, has also been in contact with one of his footballing heroes to try and make the day extra special.
He added: “It is quite a large club, Arsenal FC. It is not every day they rock up in Chard, and it is fantastic for me as an Arsenal fan.
“I have been speaking to Ian Wright’s agent and sent him some messages on Twitter.
“We are working on it but we may have some real surprises in store.”
The match is set for August 11, with kick off at 2pm.
Tickets are not yet on sale, and more information will be released closer to the game.
A ‘meet the stars’ event is also being organised, with details to be confirmed.
For businesses to sponsor the event, click here to visit the Single Yellow Rose #teambelle page on Facebook.
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