Marine AFC is delighted to announce that it will host a charity match between Spurs Legends and the Yorkshire Spurs Supporters’ Club on Sunday 31 July, kick-off 2pm.
Back in January, 2021, Marine sold 32,202 virtual tickets for their historic FA Cup fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at the Marine Travel Arena, which was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to this incredible support from Marine and Spurs fans, as well as the wider footballing community, the club has been able to spend over £0.5m to install a 3G pitch at their stadium during the coming summer, which will be of huge benefit to the club and its local community, especially in light of the Mariners’ recent promotion to the Northern Premier League, Premier Division.
Since that memorable cup tie, links between the two clubs have remained strong. Now, a charity match organised by Yorkshire Spurs, which will see members of the Supporters’ Club take on the Spurs Legends team, is set to take place to celebrate the opening of the new pitch and to raise important funds for the JE3 Foundation, set up in memory of former Spurs defender Justin Edinburgh, and the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.
The Spurs Legends team, which is run by former striker Mark Falco, takes part in charity games up and down the UK every year. For this match, the team will be managed by John Lacy, the only player who has played for both Spurs and Marine. Other legends pencilled in to take part include Falco, David Howells, Ramon Vega, Stephen Clemence, Pascal Chimbonda and Neil Sullivan. Special guests on the day include another legendary former Spurs player, Paul Stewart, in addition to an official Tottenham Hotspur Ambassador. Further players and special guests will be confirmed over the coming weeks. All appearances are subject to availability and participating legends are subject to change.
Marine CEO James Leary said: “This is going to be a special occasion and has been in planning for a while. We have a great relationship with Tottenham Hotspur and it is fantastic that the Spurs Legends team has agreed to come and take part. The proceeds from the match are to be donated to some great causes, which I am delighted we can support. I know that there are lots of Spurs fans in the north of the country and I am sure it will be a well-attended event.”
Paul Pavlou, chairman of the Yorkshire Spurs Supporters’ Club, said: “It’s an absolute honour to be involved in the opening of the new pitch at Marine AFC and it shows the strong links between both clubs. This charity match will give both sets of fans a chance to see some ex-Spurs players roll back the years, while also providing a chance for Spurs fans to find their names on the Virtual Wall, which was installed at Marine’s ground in the wake of the 2021 FA Cup tie. It’s a great way to raise money for the JE3 Foundation and the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund as well. I truly love the FA Cup and stories like this are the reason why! We at Yorkshire Spurs would like to congratulate everyone at Marine on their recent promotion, and we look forward to seeing everyone on 31 July.”
Mark Falco, part of Spurs’ successful side of the early-1980s, said: “We as the Spurs Legends team are delighted to take part in the opening of Marine’s new 3G pitch. The football family came together during the FA Cup tie a couple of years back and because of the strong links between both clubs, a day like this has been made possible. I’m sure everyone will have a great day.”
David Howells, Spurs’ 1991 FA Cup-winning former midfielder, said: “It’s a real thrill to be invited to play in this match and to part of such a special occasion. Football is for everyone and the links and friendships that have been created between Spurs and Marine are a brilliant example of that.”
Charlie Edinburgh, who represents the JE3 Foundation and is the son of the late Justin Edinburgh, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Marine and Tottenham Hotspur for allowing myself and the JE3 Foundation to be part of such a special occasion, it is a real honour to be involved. To see how these two fantastic clubs came together in the most challenging of times during the pandemic and turned the situation into such a positive is testament to them and the clubs’ supporters. On behalf of myself and everyone connected with the JE3 Foundation, it goes without saying how grateful we are that funds raised from the match will go towards our important work and remembering my amazing father. I hope everyone has a great afternoon.”
Tickets are £5 for adults and £2 for children and can be purchased via the following link:
https://marinefc.ktckts.com/event/mnespurs31722/spurs-legends-v-yorkshire-spurs
There will also be mascot places and dugout spaces up for grabs, in addition to a half-time penalty shootout. Match ball and match sponsorship opportunities will also be available. For more information and to register your interest in any of these, please email pav@yorkshirespurs.co.uk
