THE moment Newcastle United legends reunited for charity was captured in a photo album.
Released yesterday, the pictures show the players preparing for the ‘Entertainers’ charity match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at Kingston Park earlier this month.
Organisers of the charity event released the pictures as they revealed the event raised more than £16,500 for five good causes.
More than 10,000 fans watched the re-match of the game dubbed the Premier League’s greatest ever, when Newcastle lost 4-3 to Liverpool in 1996.
The Newcastle team featured legends such as Alan Shearer, David Ginola, Tino Asprilla, Pavel Srnicek, Rob Lee, and were managed by “The Messiah” Kevin Keegan. But they ended up losing 4-1 to a Liverpool team including the likes of Steve McManaman, Bruce Grobbelaar and Jason McAteer.
The real winners, however, were the charities – The NSPCC, Children’s Heart Unit Fund, Alan Shearer Centre, Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and children’s charity Pathways – who each received more than £3,300 following the event.
The charities thanked the organisers, Players Inc and Pzazz Events.
Steve Wraith, of Players Inc, who was reserve keeper for the match, said: “We are delighted that the fans backed both the dinner and the match, it obviously captured the public’s imagination.
“Kevin and the players loved it and don’t be surprised if you see the ‘Entertainers’ back in the near future. To raise such a large amount in such harsh economic times goes to show how generous the people of the North East really are.
“As you can see from the pictures, the changing room banter was incredible. I spent most of the day pinching myself.
“Getting changed in the same dressing room as all these players I idolised, like Alan Shearer, was an honour.”
Pictures: Gareth Johnson and Andy Thompson
