Headley Legends
Headley Legends v Arsenal Ex Pro and Celebrities
Headley came alive with a sea of red and white on Sunday as a team of Arsenal ex professional and Celebrities came to Headley for a Charity football match. Around a 1000 spectators turned out in glorious sunshine to witness a fine encounter between the Arsenal team and a Headley Legends side which fielded Managers and Coaches from Headley Youth F.C and Headley United.
Also in the squad were Ian Wilding, Chief Sports Reporters from Delta Radio and Billy Wingrove who is a top football freestyler.Playing for Arsenal were top celebrities Tommy Walsh, Tony Hadley, and undefeated World boxing champion, Terry Marsh. From television Frank Thompson and Robbie Gee and ex Arsenal players Brian Hornsby, Danny O’Shea, and ex Arsenal Kit man Bobby Armitt.In a competitive encounter the result was 0-0 but that does not detract from the chances that were created. Headley missed a penalty whilst at the other end a header by actor Danny Fox rebounded of the woodwork.
Man of the Match Tommy Walsh was extremely agile and was man of the match with some brilliant saves. Tommy has played for the Arsenal side for a number of seasons and showed that he had the ability to have played professional football if he so wished.The Crowd was given a wonderful half time performance by top UK football freestyler Billy Wingrove. Billy amazed the spectators with his skills then went and played the second half for the Legends. Billy has performed his tricks all over the world and just the day before had been the half time entertainment at the West Ham v Chelsea game at Upton Park. It has been a fantastic day and we are grateful to the many people that attended the game and hope that they enjoyed the day. We are indebted to the many volunteers that helped with making the day such a success. Without their significant input we would not have been able to hold the match.
Two years ago the Legends played a Chelsea Old Boys Team and I did not think we would ever upstage such a day but the Arsenal game was every bit as special and we had to pinch ourselves to think that we had household names like Tommy Walsh, Tony Hadley and boxer Terry Marsh at Headley. They were real troupers who played the whole game and then signed autographs and posed for photographs long after the final whistle. They were absolutely brilliant’ The players gave their time freely and although at the time of going to press it was not possible to give how much profit was raised , 30% will be going to Arsenal for their chosen charity. Apart from the football match there were a number of activities going on around the arena. Apart from the Bar and BBQ there was a funfair , and a penalty shoot out prior to the game featured the top goal scorers from each age group. In a thrilling encounter which featured a sudden death shootout in both mini soccer and 11 aside teams.
The winners were:
U15s: Phillip Moore
U8s Hawks : Harrison Myatt
‘The day was very successful and we were really fortunate about the weather. To have Sunshine, something to eat and drink and to watch a good game of football, life does not get any simpler than that. To be able to raise a bit of money at the same time for the Club and the Arsenal Charity has been a bonus’ From the Players from Headley that took part it was a fantastic experience playing football in front of a wonderful crowd. It was something that everyone that participated and helped in the day will remember for a very long time
