Daniels legends say goodbye with charity special

Some of the most popular names in the history of Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Stamford AFC will be gracing the Vic Couzens Stadium pitch for one last time next month in a special charity match.

The Premier Division club announced on Friday that a team of Stamford Legends are set to take on a selection of Stamford All Stars on Saturday 10 May to raise funds for both the Daniels Foundation and Cancer Research.

Leading the ‘Legends XI’ will be Malcolm Hird, who skippered the Daniels to Wembley in the 1976 FA Vase Final loss to Billericay Town in just one of his hundreds of games for the club. He later took over as manager, returning to the twin towers four years later to mastermind the victory over Guisborough Town.

In charge of the All Stars XI is lifelong Daniels fan Gary Hopkins – a well known figure in the region’s footballing scene with over four decades of service, including a spell in charge of Stamford’s reserves in the late 1980s.

Organisers say the Legends XI will consist of former Stamford players covering a 40-year span while the All Stars will also be made up of former players along with members of Stamford's youth team and representatives from the club’s sponsors.

Stamford AFC’s commercial manager Paul Pepper said the match, which is taking place in conjunction with community partner Zeeco Europe Ltd, is the centrepiece of a whole day of events to raise funds for the good causes.

He said: "I am delighted that we have arranged this particular charity game and proud that financial contributions from money raised will be shared between the two causes. The game will be followed by our season’s annual presentation awards night in the Arts Club Bar."

Supporters who watch the charity match, which kicks off at 5pm, will be encouraged to stay behind after the final whistle to attend the presentation ceremony. And throughout the day, leading up to the kick-off, a number of Young Daniels matches will be taking place to follow on from the day’s popular Saturday Morning Club session.

Guy Walton, of the Young Daniels and the club’s Football Development Centre, said: "Interest from previous Daniels players, football enthusiasts and club supporters is gathering momentum. We are looking forward to a memorable day as a Daniels family reunion will evoke many happy memories of a wonderful home to the club since 1896."

He added: "Paul has worked tirelessly in delivering his idea of a charity match as we close in on our time at our current home ground."

Admission to the charity match, which will be one of the final big occasions at the Vic Couzens Stadium before the club's move to their new facility at Borderville, is set at £5 for adults and £2 for children.