Pop star Olly Murs will be in the Coggeshall side facing a Town XI expected to feature some fringe players in a pre-season friendly at the Essex side’s West Street ground on Friday 22nd July (KO 7.30pm).

Murs,, the runner-up in X Factor in 2009, spent time with Coggeshall last season as he prepared for the recent Soccer Aid game at Old Trafford. Previously he was a semi-professional with hometown club Witham Town.

“Olly is nephew to my assistant manager, John Pollard, and has been a family friend of mine for many years,” Graeme Smith, Coggeshall’s owner and manager, explained to the club website.

“He has loved every minute of his time with us and has now started to get involved with the club off the pitch as well.

“Olly really believes in what we are trying to do here and wants to play his part. The club was struggling for 20 years or so but over the last two years we have made great progress.

“We’re an ambitious club. We have won back to back promotions, now play in the Eastern Counties League First Division and our aim is to get into the Ryman League as soon as possible.

“We have played Ipswich twice in the last three years and I know Olly and the rest of the lads are looking forward to the game coming up. It will be the highlight of our pre-season and I’m sure it will be a great night.”

In addition to his role with Coggeshall, Smith’s company Chelmsford Plastic Warehouse sponsor Town’s U13s.

“Graeme is a big supporter of our academy here and has sponsored age groups for five years,” the Blues director of academy sponsorship, Simon Milton added.

“Graeme has got Coggeshall going forward as a club and I’m sure they will give our young players a good game.

“With Olly playing, there will be that X Factor - sorry I couldn’t resist that - and I’ve also invited Terry Butcher, Alan Brazil and a number of other ex-players to come along on the night.”

Tickets for the game are available on the gate on the night of the match.

Photo: Action Images

12th_Man added 13:11 - Jul 8 How much is tickets
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Lightningboy added 13:18 - Jul 8 Olly Murs would go to the opening of a fridge door.
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Nictate added 13:34 - Jul 8 Sh1t Robbie Williams, your just a...
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wherescounago added 16:22 - Jul 8 Oh dear is this how low we have slipped in our pre season preparations, playing against a team that contains a Z list so called celebrity. Whatever happened to being tested against footballers, no disrespect meant of course to the rest of the Coggeshall boys who I hope have a really good season, they will get far more put of this than we will.
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rinkydinkpanther added 18:13 - Jul 8 And a new pre-season low is hit. Olly Murs playing is a piece of opposition team news?! What the f*ck even is this anymore?!!
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Super_Cooper added 19:14 - Jul 8 wow
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Seasider added 21:44 - Jul 8 Thought Ollie was MOM in the Soccer Aid game. Wouldn't say Murs is a Z rated celeb Counago. I shall go as not far;interested to see some of fringe and young players in these pre=season friendlies,although wont be any first teamers as playing Cambridge the next day.
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Seasider added 21:47 - Jul 8 Grahame Smith has invited TB and AB,not to play surely lol?
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ronnyd added 21:48 - Jul 8 Who bloody cares zzzzzzzzzzzz
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Eeyore added 22:24 - Jul 8 sh1t and Robbie Williams are words that go together well.
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lightingblue added 23:38 - Jul 8 My lad plays for the crops youngsters. They are a great club with an owner who has a genuine interest in taking the club forward, and a bloke who runs the youth set up who's passion is addictive, and really wants the kids and club to do well. Sounds like our ipswich. Furthermore with Murs playing does it mean they have one more star playing for them than ipswich.
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Currie10 added 09:33 - Jul 9 Usual negative crap on TWTD. It's a town 11 for heavens sake.
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CambridgeBlue added 10:57 - Jul 9 Don't know why people are being unpleasant. Small local side gets a boost from local celebrity and championship club sending an XI down for a friendly. Nothing wrong with that. These clubs are usually run by volunteers on a shoe string and anyone who has been involved in lower league football will understand why these guys appreciate the support. Sounds like they're trying to get their club moving in the right direction so all credit to them.

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Seasider added 16:57 - Jul 9 Quite agree Cambridge Blue
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