Famous Merseyside faces united for a charity football match on Saturday (August 1) to raise money for families affected by the horrifying attack in Southport on July 29, 2024. The match was the second held in memory of Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe, who tragically lost their lives in the attack.
Stars taking to the pitch at Southport FC's Haig Avenue ground included This City Is Ours star James Nelson-Joyce, boxer Liam Smith, former Everton and England star Toni Duggan, and former Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert.
Legends in the dugout
John Aldridge and Ian Snodin managed the sides, with Snodin, a title winner with Everton's storied 1987 team, sent off during the game. Local band The Graft entertained the crowd ahead of kick-off and at half-time.
There was also a raffle and auction to raise further funds for families impacted by the attack.
Community coming together
Former Southport Visiter editor Andrew Brown was in attendance at the match. He told the ECHO: "It was such a hard day for the town on Wednesday, and we had the three-minute silence for the second anniversary. This was a day for the community to come together."
A minute's applause was observed before the start of the game in honour of the victims and families impacted by the tragedy, and for the emergency service members who responded.
Light relief and a win on penalties
The first half was stopped momentarily as an actor dressed as Johnny Depp character Jack Sparrow invaded the pitch and was tackled to the ground by stewards in a moment of light relief.
Snodin's team was 5-1 up at half-time, and went on to win the match on penalties.
