Celebrities and football legends will join forces today (September 27) for the Game4Hope at Goodison Park. The inaugural match kicks off at 4.45pm and is in aid of Everton In The Community and homelessness charity, Shelter.
The game will be broadcast on Channel 5 as coverage gets underway at 4pm. A special training session took place at Finch Farm yesterday and the ECHO was in attendance to watch some of the stars shake off the cobwebs to get ready for the game.
Everton legends return
It will be a special reunion for some of the stars playing as Everton legends Tim Cahill and Phil Jagielka will once again be gracing the pitch in L4.
Cahill is captaining Team Merseyside and the retired midfielder spoke to the ECHO yesterday and it will be a privilege to be back on the pitch at a place where he has such fond memories. The 46-year-old said: "To say goodbye to Goodison not too long ago was pretty sad, but to be able to run out with my teammates [tomorrow] will be nice. That was where I did most of my great work for Everton."
Merseyside spirit
Other players on Team Merseyside include Liverpool celebrities Tony Bellew, James Nelson-Joyce and Molly McCann. Bellew spoke to the ECHO ahead of the game and he said the game represents the best of the Merseyside spirit.
The former boxer said: "It represents unity and us all coming together, and that's the most important thing. It's something that as Scousers that we've always done. We come together, you know, we work together, and that's the way we are. So I just can't wait."
"It's raising money, raising awareness for the problems and situations that we have [in this country], and I'm looking forward to taking part." They will be facing off against a Rest of the World team that has confirmed icons such as Rivaldo and Clarence Seedorf.
Lineups and half time show
There will be a half time show from Tinie Tempah. Here is a list of the confirmed lineups for the game tomorrow. However, those involved are subject to change.
Confirmed Team Merseyside players
- Big Zuu
- Charlie Adam
- Chelcee Grimes
- Dan Haggis
- David James
- Gareth Barry
- James Nelson-Joyce
- Jermaine Beckford
- Joleon Lescott
- Kieran Shudall
- Lee Latchford-Evans
- Leighton Baines
- Liam Smith
- Louis Saha
- Molly McCann
- Natasha Dowie
- Phil Jagielka
- Rachel Unitt
- Ryan Babel
- Still Ryan
- Tim Cahill
- Toni Duggan
- Tony Bellew
- Yakubu
Team Rest of the World
- Antonio Valencia
- Charlie Wrenshall
- Christopher Ellis
- Clarence Seedorf
- Colin Murray
- Des Walker
- Eric Djemba Djemba
- Fabrice Muamba
- Harry Aikines Aryeety
- Harry Cooksley
- Jeff Brazier
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
- Joe Falconer
- Joe Marsh
- Kola Bokinni
- Kristen Hanby
- Marc Bircham
- Locky Rudimental
- Mustapha Hadji
- Neil Danns
- Rivaldo
- Rob Earnshaw
- Tamer Hassan
- Toheeb Jimoh
- Wes Morgan
The Game4Hope kicks off at Goodison Park at 4.45pm.
