Sewell charity match brings out the stars

Fulham star Jimmy Bullard is throwing his weight behind a charity match featuring Spurs Veterans in aid of former Gravesend & Northfleet star Bruce Sewell, writes James Brown - courtesy of www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

Ex-Fleet skipper Bruce - who played alongside Premiership star Bullard at Stonebridge Road in the 1990s - has been struck down by Motor Neurone Disease.

And the match on Sunday, 26th November will raise funds to help Bruce, his long-term partner Annabel and their young son Noah in their battle with the disease which is classified as terminal.

Organisers are hoping that football fans from around the south east will turn out in force to help Bruce and his family.

The childhood sweethearts met at school in 1986 and married in June 2002, a year before the arrival of Noah.

But by the end of that year, Bruce's agility began to falter and within 14 months he unable to walk without help. His speech and ability to swallow were seriously affected - even picking up his baby son became a challenge.

Then in April, 2005, Bruce was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease after he felt unusually tired while playing football.

The disease leads to weakness and a wasting of the muscle tissues causing a growing loss of mobility in the limbs and other difficulties although the brain, including the memory, are not affected.

Sadly, there is no known cure but Bruce has resolved not to be beaten. Research has shown that some patients can halt or even reverse the symptoms through a positive outlook.

And Bruce is one of the most positive people you could meet and is determined to add to this growing statistic.

The exhibition match will feature players from Gravesend and two of Bruce's other clubs, Yeading and Boreham Wood, as well as Luton Town where Bruce worked as physio before going on to become senior lecturer of sports therapy at Hertfordshire University.

Bruce met up with Soccer AM favourite Jimmy earlier this month and the popular Premiership midfielder presented his old friend with a Fulham shirt.

Former Gravesend & Northfleet manager Andy Ford is the brains behind the charity match which kicks off at 2pm at Stonebridge Road with admission priced at £6 for adults and schoolchildren free.

Andy explained: "We have had a fantastic response from Bruce's old team-mates. Already we've got the Fleet's all-time leading goalscorer Steve Portway and the club's record appearance 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."

Ford has lined up many of Bruce's former Gravesend team-mates including 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.

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

Luton are believed to be sending Carl Emberton, Liam George, Peter Holmes and Stuart Douglas.

Fans will be able to meet the players after the game at the Fleet Leisure Centre in Nelson Road, Northfleet. The function will feature a two-course buffet reception, auction and raffle, with tickets priced £20 each.

Ford added: "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."

For more information on Bruce Sewell log on to www.road2hope.com

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