Quinn throws down the gauntlet to Mort
Oct 10 2007 by Audrey Barton, The Journal
SUNDERLAND chairman Niall Quinn has challenged Newcastle United chairman Chris Mort to face him in goal on the pitch.
Quinn threw down the gauntlet to his rival to play in the Prince’s Trust charity football match.
Playing as striker for the Earl of Durham’s team in the charity all star game at St James’s Park on Sunday, Quinn is keen to see his opposing team for the Duke of Northumberland pick the NUFC chairman to come on for a stint in goal.
The former SAFC front man was speaking out after scout for the Duke’s team, Peter Beardsley, admitted at the Press launch that he hasn’t secured a goalie for the match yet, but hinted he might not need one having seen his opposing side players’ list.
Quinn is the star player for the Earl of Durham’s team, playing alongside Kevin Ball, Mark Chamberlain, John Kay, Gary Bennett, Paul Bracewell, Martin Scott, Gary Owers, Kevin Richardson, Craig Russell, Niall Quinn, Anthony Hutton, Andy Kerr, Phil Mustard, James Grindall and Neil Killeen.
Quinn will play against his old adversaries Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand and is looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m running the gauntlet to an extent taking them on at their old home ground, but I’m really looking forward to the game. Some of my greatest sporting memories are from playing at St James’s, I cherish the rivalry and I’ll be giving it everything.”
Playing alongside Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand in the Duke of Northumberland’s team are Peter Beardsley, Rob Lee, David Batty, Marc Hottiger, Philippe Albert, Steve Stone, Warren Barton, Jonathan Edwards, Steve Harmison, Ben Harmison, Tom May, Lee Clark, John Beresford and Glen McCrory
The game will also be the first time since he played for Ireland that Quinn has played under the management of Jack Charlton, who is manager for the Earl of Durham’s team.
He said: “Jack was my manager when I played in the World Cup, so I’m really looking forward to working with him again.”
Quinn is returning to the pitch for only the third time since his retirement in 2002, to help The Prince’s Trust hit the target of raising enough money in the North-East to help 5,000 local unemployed young people by the end of 2008.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dancing girls and music...
Gates to the event are due to open at 2pm, with live music and two of the region’s top dance troupes will be cheering on the teams – The Showgirls for the Duke of Northumberland’s team, and Urban Kaos for Lord Durham’s team.
The match will kick off at 4pm. Tickets can be obtained via the Newcastle United FC Box Office on (0191) 261-1571 or www.nufc.co.uk They are priced at £12 for adults, £6 for children and £15 for access to the bar areas. Corporate hospitality tickets priced at £99 per person are also available on a first come basis by calling Karen Waugh on (0191) 201-8682.
The evening celebration dinner featuring after dinner speakers from the celebrity teams and a football memorabilia auction, is £100 per person.
For further information log on to www.princes-trust.org.uk/trophy
