Ex-footballers sign up for cricket and football charity double-header
A Baggies fan has gathered a team of former stars from West Midlands teams to play in a cricket and football double-header for charity.
With the help of former West Brom defender Darren Moore, Sallyann Wright has put together a team of ex-players from Albion, Villa, Birmingham City and Wolves.
They will be taking on a Birmingham Cricket League XI in a T20 match at Old Hill this Sunday before the two sides have a rematch on the football pitch at Halesowen Town on Sunday, October 8.
Joining Big Dave on the team of ex-players is Andy Johnson, Geoff Horsfield, Paul Robinson, Lee Carsley, Darren Purse, Darren Byfield, Michael Johnson, Tony Daley, Dele Adebola, and Darius Vassell.
“The ones I’ve spoken to don’t have much cricket experience!” admitted Sally. “None of them have really played much, although they’re all very competitive.
“Darren (Moore) is looking forward to getting onto the pitch but I think he’s nervous about being bowled at. Mind you, they can get their own back on the football field!”
The unique double-header is raising money for Sally’s new charity, Inspire Afrika, which she has set up with Neil and Paula Burns in order to continue their work in Kenya.
The trio have been travelling out to the African country with The Albion Foundation for the past four years to build schools and dig wells.
“We dig trenches, install water tanks, build walls, that sort of thing,” said Sally. “Next time we go out, in October, we’ll be making vegetable patches and teaching them how to use it, so they’re a bit more self sufficient.
“There’s different things to be done every time we go out. Building classrooms is a big one, it allows more children can access education.”
Entry is £5 for adults and £3 for children at both events. This Sunday there will be a BBQ and the bar at Old Hill will be open.
Sally is getting cricket tops made and hopes to get them signed so they can be auctioned off.
“I’m just hoping to raise as much as possible,” she said. “I haven’t really got a figure in mind.”
If you buy tickets for both events you get a slight discount. They can be bought at www.ticketsource.co.uk/kickitfor6
To find out more about Inspire Afrika and their visits to Kenya email info@inspireafrika.co.uk
