Ritchie stars as Emmaus football clash raises £2,000

Date published: 24 October 2018


A football match between a team of former homeless people and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Tameside raised £2,018 for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Homelessness Fund.

Last Sunday more than 500 people turned out to support the Emmaus versus GMP Tameside charity football match at Seel Park in Mossley.

The Emmaus team, which included former Athletic star Andy Ritchie and staff from the club, mostly consisted of former homeless people who are now supported by the charity.

Ritchie said: “It was wonderful to see so many people turn out at Seel Park to support a fantastic cause and help to raise a tremendous amount that will go a long way.

“The match was a very competitive one and the Emmaus team did themselves proud, I loved being back out on the pitch.

"Congratulations to Greater Manchester Police who were the winners on the day.”

The match was organised by GMPs Tameside Division with support from Emmaus Mossley, Mossley FC and Oldham Athletic Community Trust (OACT).

The game was played in good spirits with GMP Tameside taking the win, 8-2.

PC Steve Naylor, from Greater Manchester Police, said: “What a fantastic day!

"Thanks to everyone who made it all possible, to all the generous businesses who donated raffle prizes, Mossley AFC for providing the venue, OACT for securing the services of Andy Ritchie, Andy himself and Chief Constable Ian Hopkins for presenting the awards.”

The Emmaus team included people who live, work and are supported by Emmaus Mossley and Emmaus Leeds.

Emmaus communities support formerly homeless people by providing them with a home and work in a community setting.

The players of both teams line up before kick-off

Each Emmaus runs different social enterprises, providing work and development opportunities whilst generating income to sustain the work of the charity.

The family-friendly event included GMP mascots Constable Cub and Wolfie, OAFC’s Chaddy the Owl and Stockport County’s Vernon Bear.

An under-eights youth tournament took place with teams from Clarksfield and Glodwick FC, Denton Youth, Dukinfield Tigers and Springhead Reds, with Springhead running out winners after a nail-biting penalty shootout.

The event also included a charity raffle, inflatable assault course, axe throwing, archery and face painting.

Raffle prizes were donated by Ashton United FC, Active Tameside, Autograph Art, Cineworld, Nando’s, Heyrod Food and Floral, Hollywood Bowl, Indian Ocean Restaurant, Manchester City FC, Manchester United FC, Mossley AFC, Oldham Athletic FC, Salford City FC, The Broadoak Hotel, the White Hart, Tranquillity Cosmetics and the Village Hotel in Ashton.

Paul Hett Limited in Hyde donated the winner’s trophy and player of the match award for the charity match.

Gee Dee Trophies in Shaw, Hyde Trophies, Treble Darts and Trophies in Oldham and H Perrigo in Droylsden supplied trophies and medals for the youth tournament.

Jigsaw Homes sponsored the event, by supplying the inflatable activities from Jalmac Leisure.

One Adventure Droylsden supported the event with activities on the day and St John's Ambulance provided first aid support.

For anyone who couldn’t make it on the day but would still like to support the event, you can donate online at: https://www.gofundme.com/EmmausVsGMPTameside


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