Merry Christmas Ben but where are you?

Fun-loving guests at FC United of Manchester’s Ben Deegan Benefit Night raised nearly £2000 by donning masks of the former Rebels favourite!

Organised by FC United of Manchester’s Moston branch, one of the highlights of the fundraiser saw an impromptu game of ‘Where’s Ben?’ break out among masked guests, pictured. The masks were later thrown into a raffle and auction to aid the midfielder who is recovering from a compound tibia and fibula fracture of his right leg.

Deegan, now with Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division Ashton United, has been unable to work since his sickening injury in October playing in a Sunday League game. With Christmas on the way, supporters stepped in to help after learning that he is struggling to support his partner and seven month old son on statutory sick pay.

Deegan was a key member of FC United’s headline grabbing 2010 FA Cup side and signed shirts and other memorabilia were auctioned off in the FC Lounge at the Lightbowne Sports & Social Club in Moston last Friday night. FC United manager Karl Marginson and many of Deegan’s former teammates from a number of clubs including Altrincham and Ashton also attended.

Dave Bonner, Moston Branch Charitable Funds Facilitator, said supporters were delighted to swing into action to stage the event within two weeks of hearing of Deegan’s plight.

Bonner said: "At the end of the night a figure of close to £2000 was raised and handed directly to Ben and his lovely partner Kathryn to help make Christmas a bit more comfortable for them and their seven month old son Maxwell.

"Special thanks must go to everyone who attended and supported the event and especially The Fabulous Griffin Boys who turned up with only 24 hours’ notice to entertain everybody free of charge!"

Bonner also singled out a number of clubs and officials to thank them for supporting the auction and raffle, including Ashton Chairman Dave Aspinall who donated a shirt signed by the Robins team and four full hospitality tickets for an upcoming Ashton game.

Altrincham Chairman Graham Rowley was also there to personally hand over a club shirt along with New Mills manager Roy Soule. Mark Weaver from Deegan’s Sunday side, Cale Green FC, also received a 'massive thanks' from Bonner and FCUM's Moston branch for continuing with his own personal financial support for Deegan as he recovers.