Football stars turn out in force for Sewell

Former Gravesend & Northfleet manager Andy Ford is appealing for former players from the Fleet, Boreham Wood and Yeading to support a charity event to raise money for Bruce Sewell who has been stricken with motor neurone disease, writes Charles Webster.

Sewell played for all three clubs, and Ford has already lined up an impressive array of talent for a charity game at the Gravesend & Northfleet's Stonebridge Road ground on Sunday November 26th against a Tottenham Hotspur Veterans side.

Among those lending support to the event are Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard who played with Bruce for the Fleet before leaving for West Ham, Peterborough, Wigan and Fulham, and Jimmy met Bruce last week to present him with a Fulham shirt (pictured).

 

The match will kick off at 2pm. with admission at £6, but schoolchildren will be admitted free.

"We have had a fantastic response from Bruce's old team mates" said Ford who is organising the event.

"Already we've got the Fleet's all time leading goalscorer Steve Portway and the club's appearance record holder Jimmy Jackson pencilled in along with players from Boreham Wood and Yeading such as Nick and Dominic Grime, Junior Samuels, Danny Honey and Lee Protheroe. But we want to see as many of Bruce's old team mates as possible and make it a day to remember".

Fans will be able to meet the players after the game at a function at the Fleet Leisure Centre in Nelson Road, Northfleet.

The event will feature a two course buffet reception, auction and raffle, and tickets are priced at £20.

Ford said: "Bruce is a smashing lad and his story has touched everyone who knows him. Everybody I have contacted wants to help Bruce and his family, and we have had a fantastic response.

“I think fans will be delighted to see the players who played alongside Bruce for the Fleet, Boreham Wood and Yeading and there are sure to be some surprise appearances.

"We are very lucky to have got the Spurs veterans side to come down for the game and I think we can look forward to an entertaining match followed by what looks like being a very well supported evening event."

Ford has lined up ex Gravesend stars including keeper Darren Smith , midfielder Darren Smith , Andy Adebowale, Corey Campbell, Dave Powell, Luke Anderson, Mark Newson, Scott Honeyball, Steve Restarick, Nick Hegley, Mitch Crawley, Matt Lee, Che Stadhart, Craig Wilkins, Justin Skinner, Lee Spiller, Scott Tarr, Paul Booth, Scott Honeyball, Steve Restarick, and Darren Gowler.

Due to appear representing Boreham Wood are Gary Nisbett, Steve Heffer, Steve Brown, Jason Shaw and Junior Samuels, while the ex Yeading contingent is likely to include Lee Protheroe, Danny Honey, Steve Graham, Steve McGrath, Richard Gell, Martin Carter, Mark Ward and Matt Flitter.

From Luton, where Bruce was physio, are likely to be Carl Emberton, Liam George, Peter Holmes and Stuart Douglas.

Visit Gravesend & Northfleet's website: www.gnfc.co.uk