After years without a veterans XI, the Former Players’ Association have gotten the old gang back together, ready for a first outing against a Cray Valley Paper Mills XI as part of their centenary celebrations on Sunday, September 22nd (2pm).
Having started his career with the Addicks and making over 150 times for the club, Kevin Lisbie took up the challenge of forming a team to represent Charlton players of years gone by in charity fixtures and is looking forward to their first outing.
“Keith Peacock [Chairman of the Former Players’ Association] contacted me and asked if Jon Fortune and I wanted to take over because of the next generation of former players coming through and the older boys moving on. I started my career at the club so to take over the veterans’ team is a massive honour.”
“A lot of us keep ourselves fit and games like this are like therapy for us.
“We all like to think we can still play! Any opportunity with each other I think we’d take. I didn’t have to sell it to the lads, I just told them about this game and that if they’re available could they turn up.”
Sunday’s match against Cray Valley will see a percentage of funds raised go to Prostate Cancer UK and Lisbie is planning for more fixtures to help raise money for good causes in the future.
“Sunday is a great opportunity to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK and all these boys will make themselves available for these causes which is nice to hear.
“We’ll be raising money for a good cause in a year which we’re celebrating 100 years of The Valley Cray Valley are celebrating 100 years of their club. It’s a perfect day and we’re hoping people come down and show their support for both clubs.”
Lisbie added: “There will be food, drinks, a bouncy castle, music and hopefully a good game! It’s in Kidbrooke so I’m sure many Charlton fans are not too far away.”
The match against the Eltham-based outfit celebrating their centenary will take place at Badgers Sports Ground, Middle Park Avenue, Eltham on Sunday, September 22nd (2pm). Big names are expected to turn out for the Addicks with Johnnie Jackson, Darren Bent, Kevin Lisbie, Jason Euell, Jon Fortune, Luke Young, Ben Roberts, Mark Bright, Jason Euell, Chris Perry and Jamal Campbell-Ryce all signed up to play.
Tickets are priced £5 adults and £3 children on the gate, while U5s go for free and a percentage of funds raised will go to Prostate Cancer UK.
