Chris Brunt agrees to be manager for West Brom fans team at fundraising match for Richard Eades

Brunt, who is currently standing in as Baggies captain, will swap the armband for the dug-out at Halesowen Town next Sunday, April 29.

He will take charge of the Albion fan team lining up against a West Brom All Stars XI including Baggies greats like Peter Odemwingie, Richard Sneekes, Andy Johnson, Kevin Donovan, Russell Hoult, Lee Hughes, Sean Gregan, and Geoff Horsfield.

Current caretaker boss Darren Moore is also expected to be attending the match.

Eades dressed up as ‘Albi’, one of the Baggie Bird mascots, on match days at The Hawthorns for 10 years and was also a player and manager of Boing FC.

He died suddenly of a suspected heart attack on Boxing Day aged just 42, leaving behind fiancé Carly and two young children Lily-Mae, eight, and Archie, three.

Long-term friend Dave Challenor, who is the other Albion match day mascot, has organised a fundraiser for Eades’s family.

The day kicks off with a nine-a-side tournament before football mascots from all over the country descend on the Halesowen pitch for a comical ‘It’s a Knockout’ style kick around.

But the main event is the match between Boing FC and the Albion All-Stars due to kick off at 4.30pm on Sunday, April 29.

“It’s a chance for everyone to come and enjoy a day of football and fun in memory of Eadesy,” said Challenor.

“All the money raised will go towards Eadesy’s children, who have been dealt a cruel blow in losing their dad so early in their lives.

“His fiancé Carly has two young kids to raise and we just wanted to do something which would help the family out financially.

“Proceeds will help towards a trip to Disney and also a visit to Butlins over Christmas.

“It’ll be a fantastic event and one I encourage fans of all football clubs to come on down to and enjoy with us at Halesowen Town.”

Tickets cost £8 for adults, £5 for kids, and £2 for under-3s with all proceeds going to the Eades family.