Celebrities back Parky
Several celebrities have signed up for the Ramsdens Celebrity XI to play a team of former Boro stars in the Gary Parkinson Benefit Match at the Riverside Stadium on Sunday May 15 (4pm).
‘Voice of the Boro’ Alastair Brownlee is the latest to sign up for the Ramsdens celebrity line-up, together with Redcar Bears speedway star Gary Havelock.
They will be joined by actors Ben Davies, Jack McMullen and Lucien Laviscourt – aka Ronan, Finn and Jonah in hit TV school drama Waterloo Road.
Former professional footballer Andy Ansah, star of TV Street Striker with Wayne Rooney, has also signed up the Ramsdens team.
And, in another coup, Alastair Campbell – former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s long-time Director of Communications – will also take part, as he is a lifelong supporter of another of Parkinson’s former clubs, Burnley.
With Ramsdens set to make a donation for every celebrity signing, it is fantastic news for the Gary Parkinson Trust Fund.
Celebrities and sports stars will join former Boro players and the club’s shirt sponsor Ramsdens in support of former Boro defender Parkinson.
The event will raise funds for Parkinson, who had a stroke last year and has been left with a condition called “Locked-in Syndrome”, which means he can only communicate through blinking his eyes.
The devastating condition leaves the sufferer in a state where he or she is aware and awake, but cannot move, speak or swallow, due to paralysis of the muscles.
Also taking part in the game will be several members from the Boro team of 1986, in which Parkinson starred, including Bernie Slaven, Colin Cooper, Stuart Ripley, Alan Kernaghan and Paul Kerr.
The match will also feature Riverside favourites Craig Hignett, John Hendrie, Steve Vickers, Curtis Fleming, Dean Gordon, Marlon Beresford, Alan Moore, Graham Kavanagh, Neil Maddison and Jason Euell, together with Ayresome Park stars Mark Proctor, Billy Ashcroft and Terry Cochrane.
Gary's son, Luke, is set to wear his dad’s No 2 shirt, while Bruce Rioch, the manager who gave Parkinson his debut, will be in charge of the Boro team.
Other team-mates from the side that won back-to-back promotions in 1987 and 1988 will also be there to show their support on the day, including Boro boss Tony Mowbray, keeper coach Stephen Pears, former England and Manchester United star Gary Pallister and Boro commentator Gary Gill.
The match is being organised by Middlesbrough Former Players Association and Boro fan Carl O’Hara in conjunction Middlesbrough FC and club sponsors Ramsdens.
Ticket information
Tickets, priced £10 adults and £1 for Under-16s, are available now from the Riverside Stadium ticket office, MFC Official in Captain Cook Square, the nine Ramsdens shops across Teesside or by calling 0844 499 1234. Seats can also be purchased online.*
All profits from the match will go towards Gary’s family and the Gary Parkinson Trust Fund.
*Please note that it is initially planned for only the Riverside’s West Stand to be open, so Season Card holders are not able to book their usual matchday seats for the benefit match.