Beardsley backing green scheme

11 Nov 2015 By David Watters

Former England star Peter Beardsley is backing a bid by fans at Stafford Rangers to see their side playing at one of the greenest grounds in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League.

The 54-year-old former Newcastle United, Liverpool and Everton forward has been snapped up by the Stafford Rangers Independent Supporters Trust (Stripes) to be their star guest at a fundraising night in aid of an environmentally friendly water recycling scheme at Marston Road.

Beardsley, who was capped 59 times and also turned out for Carlisle United, Manchester United, Vancouver Whitecaps, Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, Fulham, Hartlepool United and the Melbourne Knights, agreed this week to help entertain fans at the First Division South club with tales from his career alongside comedian Jamie Sutherland on Friday 27 November.

Once hailed by former England striker and MOTD host Gary Lineker as "the best partner I could ever have", Beardsley scored nine goals for the Three Lions between 1986 and 1996 and captained his country once.

The green initiative at Rangers is the latest by an EVO-STIK Northern Premier League club. In October, Premier Division Blyth Spartans installed a similar water recycling scheme at Croft Park to go green and cut their water bills.

Stripes secretary Phil Bennett is hoping the efforts by supporters to finance their eco-project could also end up being supported by grant-funding.

Bennett said: "The project fulfills the Trust's objectives as it would be an infrastructure project that would help reduce the club's water rates bill. We envisage a silo/water tank in the corner of the ground, fed by drainpipes from roof of the stands and the social club.

"The collected rain water could then be pumped out on to the pitch to irrigate it and used to flush toilets on the ground. As a green initiative we would like to think, as a non-profit trust, we may be able to obtain some form of 'green' funding."

The event includes dinner with tickets priced at £20. For more information call Phil on 01785 602014 or email: p.bennett1@ntlworld.com.

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