Stars turning out for paralysed player

Bamber Bridge have teamed up with Bolton Wanderers to stage a fundraising benefit match on Sunday week to help a former player of both clubs who’s been paralysed from the waist down.

Former Brig and Bolton star Paul Allen is currently in hospital nearly a year after being struck down in December 2011 with the rare spinal disease Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO), also known as Devic’s syndrome.

To raise funds Evo-Stik NPL First Division Bamber Bridge and Bolton Wanderers are both putting together All Stars teams for the Paul Allen Benefit Match on Sunday 28 October at the QED Stadium.

Allen, 43, also has only limited mobility in his upper body and is currently undergoing physiotherapy. As well as raising funds for research, the clubs are hoping to help buy essential aids and equipment to enable him to go home to his wife Liz and two children, Zoe, 7, and Jake, 9.

Allen started his career at Bolton and scored 32 times in 90 appearances for Bamber Bridge between 1994-96, arguably one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. After leaving Bolton in the mid 1980s he went on to play for Preston North End before moving into Non-League in the North West.

Bamber Bridge Secretary George Halliwell hopes as many fans as possible will make the match to aid a former Irongate star.

He said: "Paul played for Bamber Bridge for nearly 100 games so we have decided to try and help him and others with the same condition by raising funds for the research into the condition."

Kick off on Sunday 28 October is 3pm. Admission is £6 and children go free. For more information on the Paul Allen Benefit Match call 01772 909690.