A Town-themed charity football match which has raised more than £10,000 is returning — only this time with legendary former Blues going head-to-head against one another.
The Ipswich Town Legends game has given football fans the chance to grace the same pitch as Kieron Dyer, Titus Bramble, Matt Holland and Russell Osman in recent years with money raised supporting the ITFC Academy and West Suffolk Hospital’s Forget-Me-Not Dementia Campaign, run by My WiSH Charity.
The public have paid to play either against the legends or, for a lucky few, sharing the same dressing room as their heroes.
This year’s event, which will be held on Sunday 23rd April once again at Bury Town’s Ram Meadow, will now see half a dozen legends grace each team to ensure a competitive, as well as charitable, encounter.
Simon Milton, director of academy sales at Town, said: "The ITFC Legends match has been a great event to co-host and we are so grateful to everyone who has supported it in the past.
"For the 2017 version, we wanted to do something a bit different. So everyone will get a chance to share a dressing room with a set of legends and fans will be given the opportunity to see some of Ipswich’s most famous old faces lock horns against each other. It will make for a great spectacle, whether on or off the pitch.”
Once again, football fans will be able to place a bid on playing in either team - with players guaranteed at least an hour of football during the match, which is supported by TWTD.
There will also be plenty of opportunity to talk and meet with the Legends, both for players and supporters alike.
Sue Smith, fundraising manager for My WiSH Charity which supports West Suffolk Hospital, said: "We are delighted to once again be teaming up with Ipswich Town for this great event.
"With this new twist, we are looking forward to providing something a little different at an event which is always played in great spirits and has been a fantastic fundraiser.”
With a maximum of 22 spots available across the two teams, the places will be up for auction in February with full details to follow.
But anyone who would like to register their interest at this stage can do so by emailing fundraising@wsh.nhs.uk.