Campbell Hatton will captain one of the teams at Game4Ricky, a celebrity football match at the Joie Stadium on the Etihad Campus on Sunday, November 15, honouring his late father, boxing legend Ricky Hatton. The event was announced on what would have been Hatton's 47th birthday, Tuesday, October 6. Hatton, from Stockport, died in September last year at the age of 46.
Star-studded line-up and fundraising goal
The match will feature football legends including Champions League and World Cup winners, alongside sporting figures and global names. Proceeds from the event, with tickets priced from £15, will support mental health and suicide prevention charities. City in the Community, Manchester City's charity, will receive all donations and distribute funds to worthy causes.
The celebration, produced by LGNDS, will be broadcast live on 5 in the UK and shown worldwide. The game will see squads Team Hitman and Team Hatton compete against each other.
Family tributes and legacy
Campbell Hatton said: “Manchester meant everything to my dad. Wherever he travelled in the world, he was always incredibly proud of where he came from and of the people of this city.” He added: “Mental health is a battle nobody should have to fight alone. To see so many incredible names from sport and entertainment coming together in his honour, while raising money to help other people in his name, would have made my dad incredibly proud. I know he’ll be looking down on us.”
Mike Geary, Chief Executive of City in the Community, said: “Ricky was one of our own. A lifelong Blue who carried his love for Manchester City with him onto some of the biggest stages in world sport, while always remaining incredibly connected to the people and communities of Manchester.” He added: “Every pound raised will help make a tangible difference to people’s lives – a fitting legacy for someone who meant so much to this city.”
Previous tribute and ticket details
The November match follows the Evening4Ricky music, comedy and boxing celebration held at the AO Arena in June, which featured Bugzy Malone, Tinie Tempah, Freddie Flintoff, Rowetta and Jason Manford. Hospitality tickets for the November 15 match start at £200 per person. All tickets are available via the Manchester City website.
