IT was a night of goals, glory and good humour as three Manchester City greats helped a football fundraiser score a record amount for Willow Wood Hospice.
Over 200 people packed into Dukinfield Masonic Hall to hear tales from Joe Corrigan MBE, David White and Brian Horton.
The trio helped to raise over £9,000 – almost double the total last year’s event made – on Friday, September 26.
Hosted by former top-flight referee Roger Dilkes, the evening saw the legends field a wide range of questions, with their candid, funny and revealing stories keeping the audience entertained from kick-off to final whistle.
Now in its sixth year, the popular fundraiser has welcomed footballing favourites including Martyn Buchan, Peter Barnes, Eamon O’Keefe, Trevor Ross, Ella Toone, Alex Williams MBE and Tommy Booth – all appearing free of charge to support the Ashton-based hospice.
Former professional goalkeeper and Manchester FA figure Allan Grafton MBE has played a key role in persuading footballing legends to give their time every year.
The event itself is organised by Brian Wild and Chris Smith, who have raised more than £40,000 for Willow Wood since Chris’s wife died in the hospice in 2013.
Hospice patron and former Civic Mayor of Tameside Brian Wild said: “We’re all volunteers and even the pie and peas for the guests is made in her own home, at her own expense, by Tameside councillor Denise Ward.
“We aimed to raise £7,000 but this result is just astonishing. Chris and I are pleased that this money immediately goes towards providing specialist, compassionate and dignified care to patients from Tameside and Glossop with life-limiting illnesses.”
He added: “We’ve raised thousands for the hospice over the years, and many people have a real connection with the work the hospice does – it touches almost every family at some point of their lives. The Football Night always sells out early, and the tickets get snapped up. I take my hat off to these sportspeople that give up their time for free to entertain the 200-plus audience.”
The fundraising tally is boosted each year by sponsors and community donations, with support this year coming from businesses including Cosmo Bingo in Stalybridge, Bay Freight, Manchester Credit Union, APEX Joinery, Lo-Cost Windows and Hyde Accessible Transport Ltd.
Lucy Ta’ati, Community Fundraiser at Willow Wood Hospice, said: “Without people like Brian and Chris organising these events, Willow Wood would not continue to operate so we cannot thank them enough.”