Three generations of top flight footballing legends joined ex-Rovers legends to raise in excess of £25,000 for The Eve Merton Dreams Trust at the Keepmoat Stadium, in a match sponsored by Minster Law Ltd. The match was a follow up to the event played in 2013 and was once again a success. Played in the baking Sunshine and to a crowd of around 1600, the legends and fundraisers did not disappoint.
The Legends team included Bruce Dyer, famously known as the first million pound teenager, sporting an extra special hairstyle. During a social media challenge Bruce challenged his followers to help him raise over £600 and promised to dye his hair in the charity colours, PINK & GREEN!!. Bruce’s followers took up the challenge, hitting the target and forced Bruce to stick to his word.
Bruce was joined by an impressive legends team consisting of England legend Des Walker, Liverpool’s 2 time European Cup winner Allan Kenney, Sky Sports pundit Peter Beagrie, Carlton Palmer, Phil Babb, Danny Schofield and the returning Lee Hendrie & Andy Sinton. Rovers legends on the day were Rufus Brevett, Brian Stock & former Rovers all time appearance holder Colin Douglas.
The match would be kicked off with a moving tribute to the Doncaster Rovers fan Ray Dunning who tragically lost his life after attending Rovers final game of the season away to Leicester City on May 3rd. Brian Stock (ex-Rovers captain) was joined by Ray’s wife to lay flowers on upon a lone Doncaster Rovers shirt laid on the Keepmoat pitch to the sound of a well-respected minutes applause.
The match itself was to be a competitive one with the Legends taking on a team of Doncaster fundraisers including teachers, company directors and many local based businesses. After a goal less 27 minutes the deadline was broken by returning Doncaster hero Brian Stock. After which the legends would start to show their class in the blistering heat, with a fantastic display of passing football. Despite a couple of guilt edge chances missed by the charity guys, the legends would lead 3-0 at the break. The 2nd Half started much the same as the charity team worked as a team and attempted to catch the legends on the break. With the Legends class always a factor they would stretch there lead to a commanding 6-0, however…..late into the game the charity team would break away down the right with Rossington All saints teacher Adam Myers, he played a pin point ball into the area for Balby Carr Sports Academy’s Ryan Lewis to thunder home. 6-1!! And that is how it would stay. Legends would pose for photographs as the crowds went home happy after a fantastic day of family fun.
Legends goals were scored by Brian Stock, Carlton Palmer, Lee Hendrie 2 & Bruce Dyer 2. Man of the Match for the Legends was Lee Hendrie for the 2nd year running and for Charity Heroes, Sandy Trethewey.
Thanks
Martin