Town stars Michael Chopra, Josh Carson and Joe Whight were amongst 300 people to attend Mason’s Football Fun Day at Ipswich Wanderers’ SEH Sports Ground earlier this afternoon. Former Blue Fabian Wilnis and TWTD’s Phil were part of a Celebrity XI which beat Mason’s XI, a team made up of volunteers, 3-1.
Male model Tom East lashed in a stunning 25-yarder to put the Celebs 1-0 ahead at the break with Alfie-J of the band Nicole Jane adding the second and singer Lewis Clay netting the third from the spot. Mason’s XI, managed by Blues legend Kevin Beattie with his grandson Keiron a second-half sub, pulled a late goal back through a penalty.
Earlier in the afternoon in the first game of the day, Felixstowe Dolphins had beaten the Claydon Galaxy 3-2, having been 2-1 down at half-time.
Organiser Ross Wishart, who was also part of the victorious Celebs side, was delighted with the way the afternoon had gone, despite unhelpful weather: "I’m absolutely thrilled with how the day went.
"Of course I would have preferred a bigger attendance, but the earlier weather was always going to play a part, the rain was driving down.
"But we’ve had two fantastic competitive games, the stalls tell me they’ve all done really well and, most importantly, we’ve raised a lot of money and awareness for Mason’s Magic.
"It was a tremendous effort from everyone. Some of the guys in the celebrity team had come from miles away just take part today. We’re ever so happy, it’s been a great day.”
All funds raised will go towards local charity Mason’s Magic, which was set up by seven-year-old brain tumour sufferer Mason Fountain to provide treats for children suffering with cancer and brain tumours.
Mason tweeted his thanks to Ross and Amy Downes for arranging the day: "Huge thank you to @RossWishart and @tractorgirlamy8 for organising the event today which raised a huge £1676.20 That's three fab treats. Thank you."
Wilnis was delighted to take part and to be on the winning side: "It was a great game for a very good cause and playing for the Celebs and winning 3-1 was an even bigger bonus,” said the Dutchman, who starts pre-season training with the Colchester U14s side he now coaches later this month.
The 41-year-old only managed half an hour at the heart of the defence alongside Kevin Ellis, who was a professional with the Blues in the 1990s, making one senior appearance, having set up quite a day for himself: "I ran a 10km this morning, the British 10km in London. I think 20 years ago it would have been quite easy but at this stage!
"I gave it a go and I played for half an hour but I felt a little hamstring coming on, nothing too serious, so I came off as a precaution. But I saw the quality on the team and the quality on the bench and I thought we’d be fine and I left things in safe hands.”
The former full-back is in training for a marathon at the end of November: "It’ll be my very first marathon, and probably also my very last one!”
Wilnis, who was presumably joking when he compared TWTD’s Phil’s second-half performance at left-back with Roberto Carlos, was pleased that the current Town players were present: "It was good to see Michael Chopra, Joe Whight and Josh Carson. It’s nice that they’ve taken their time to come here in their spare time to support Mason’s Magic which is a very good cause.”
Mason thanks everyone after the match