Seven share pitch with sports heroes

Oct 9 2007 by Jule Wilson, The Journal

SEVEN youngsters will be sharing the pitch with their footballing heroes in a massive charity match next weekend.

Famous names including Alan Shearer, Paul Gascoigne, Peter Beardsley and Olympic triple-jumper Jonathan Edwards will be donning their boots in aid of the Prince’s Trust for its Challenge Trophy 2007 at St James’s Park on Sunday.

The excited young fans were the lucky winners of a competition in The Journal, netting themselves the chance to rub shoulders with the legends of the beautiful game as either mascots or ball boys during the charity match.

The North of the region is to do battle with the South, with the Duke of Northumberland’s side going head to head with that of the Earl of Durham and all proceeds going towards helping disadvantaged youngsters in the region.

Three of the children – Alexander Dickinson, nine, of Moor Place, Gosforth, Newcastle, Jack Lane, 10, of Burnside in Alnwick, Northumberland, and Martin Ponton, seven, of Otley, West Yorkshire – are to support the Duke of Northumberland’s team, managed by Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer, as mascots.

Lewis Giffin, 13, of The Avenue in Morpeth, Northumberland will be a ball boy along with Troy Collins, 12, of Cairnglass Green, Eastfield Grange, Northumberland, Michael Watkis, 12, of Temperance Terrace in Ushaw Moor, County Durham, and Andrew Miller, 13, of Humber Hill, Stanley, County Durham.

Alexander’s dad Brian, 52, said: “He is so excited and can’t wait to meet his hero Alan Shearer. In fact, I’m pretty chuffed I might meet Peter Beardsley, who is my personal favourite.

“The whole family is really thrilled for Alexander. We are hoping he’ll have a day of great memories to cherish for a long time to come.”

Jacqueline Miller, 35, Andrew’s mum said: “I love Newcastle United myself so I’m ecstatic for Andrew.

“He’s just over the moon. He’s just started playing football for his school team so this is just the icing on the cake.”