The Big Match set to be one of the last games held at Newbury FC's Faraday Road stadium
Ex-pros and celebs will take to the turf in June
NEWBURY FC’s Faraday Road stadium is hosting this year’s The Big Match charity game just days before the ground is due to be shut down.
The club have been served notice on its current ground – its home since 1963 – by landlord West Berkshire Council and have to be out by June 2016 so that the council can redevelop the London Road Industrial Estate.
Previously held at Reading FC’s Madejski Stadium, this year The Big Match organisers decided to host the annual pro-celebrity game at the seemingly-doomed stadium to highlight the importance of local footballing facilities.
The timing may mean that the charity match is the last game to be held at the ground.
Big Match founder Neil Humphries said: “I am delighted that Newbury will be hosting TBM 2016 and help us write another chapter in the success story we have created.
“This is our fifth year and to be holding the event where the likes of Arsenal and England star Theo Walcott have played is amazing.
“Heading to Newbury, we are also helping to support and highlight the need for these types of facilities following the council’s decision to demolish the ground to build flats with no proposal of relocation.
“It goes without saying that children love to play at these bigger grounds on the ‘big pitch’ and sadly this will not be possible after June 18 at Newbury.”
Lee McDougal, chairman and club welfare officer of AFC Newbury, who has joined forces with several other local community groups to ask West Berkshire Council to reconsider its plans, said: “I think it’s an amazing coup for the town.
“We’re hoping to get lots of our youngsters involved and just show to everyone how much the stadium means to the community.”
The charity match will be played in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity and Action for Children. Fundraising for this year’s event has already reached £7,500.
However, Mr Humphries aims to take proceeds through the £250,000 barrier since the inaugural game at Madejski Stadium in 2012.
He added: “We are so close to breaking the £250,000 mark raised for the two charities and I am sure that this year we will do it.”
Starting in 2012 as a kickabout on the Madejski pitch and raising £10,000, The Big Match has grown each year into a family day out.
The event on June 18 will see the likes of Argentina and Spurs legend Ossie Ardilles, and former Liverpool and Swindon Town defender Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock take to the field, along with fellow former professionals and sports and showbiz personalities to help raise as much charity cash as possible.
The day of fundraising will end with an evening of entertainment hosted by the celebrities which this year will be held at Wokefield Park.
Youngsters also have a chance to show their skills on the pitch in The Big Match Kidz, which kicks off in the morning with ex-Reading FC captain Mikele Leigertwood putting the children through their paces.
This year’s The Big Match and The Big Match Kidz will take place on Saturday, June 18, with gates opening at 10.30am.
To sign your child up for The Big Match Kidz, email Kidz@thebigmatch.co.uk or for tickets and more information go to www.thebigmatch.co.uk
