The annual Football Aid programme (now in its fourth season, and supported by over 40 top clubs in the UK and abroad), gives fans the chance to realise a lifetime dream and play where their footballing heroes play at the end of the season.
Fans can secure the chance to play in a regulation 90 minute match at their club's stadium in the club's colours as Football Aid organises a day to remember forever - including arriving at the players entrance, meeting their captains and managers for the day, changing into their own personalised first team strips & have family and friends share their experience as they run through the tunnel, onto the hallowed turf, and into their own piece of Club history. They may even win the Man of the Match award!
Football Aid is not only about passion for football but compassion for others, as the whole idea was established to help raise much needed funds for charity. Such has been the success of Football Aid over the last three seasons that over £750,000 has been raised for a wide variety of charitable causes by 4500 fans from around the world, by bidding to play on the Football Aid website www.footballaid.com, which itself has received over 40 million hits.
Grahame Paterson, Executive Director for Football Aid
explained:
"All our partner clubs and leagues have been excellent and we
are proud to work alongside them. I know they strive constantly to
make a positive difference to many people in need, and do so very
effectively. We are delighted to be able to contribute to their
charity support work, but the people who really made it possible
are the clubs and their fans. At the beginning of a new year, I can
think of no better incentive to stay with those New Year
resolutions and get fit to be able to realise a lifelong ambition -
and it won't only be the fans feeling the benefit, but the
charities we support too!"
Many Football Aid grants have already been distributed at local and national levels as a result of its fundraising efforts. The 2003 Football Aid Programme contributed towards the diabetes research programme of Diabetes UK and JDRF through Field of Dreams and the SPL), The Prince's Trust (who were nominated by the FA Premier League as a beneficiary) and The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (nominated by The Football League) alongside the many club nominated charities that have gained much needed funding.
Sir Bobby Robson, Football Aid's Patron added: "Whatever team you support, if you've spent your Saturdays in the stands dreaming of scoring that winning goal, there can be no greater rush than running through the tunnel to grace the hallowed turf alongside club legends. Through the Football Aid programme, clubs can add meaningfully to their support of charities whilst at the same time connect with their fans in a unique, and highly valued way. It is a scheme that all of us in football can be rightly proud of."
Fans looking to take part in the Football Aid's National 2004 programme can take part by bidding at www.footballaid.com.
For more information contact Grahame Paterson Tel 0131 220 5999 or 07801 022934