Express & Star

West Brom heroes Bob Taylor and Geoff Horsfield line up for hospice charity match

Well-known West Brom stars Bob Taylor and Geoff Horsfield will return to the pitch for the annual Mary Stevens Hospice charity match.

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West Brom's Bob Taylor also attended last year's charity match at Stourbridge FC

They will join more 25 footballing legends to compete for the Jane Webb Memorial Trophy to raise funds for the Stourbridge-based hospice.

The match returns for the fourth year on Sunday at Stourbridge Football Club’s War Memorial Athletic Ground.

This year sees ex-players from Stourbridge and West Brom take to the pitch – including Baggies’ Des Lyttle and Nigel Quashie alongside Glassboys heroes Mark Bellingham, Lewis Solly and Adam Bastable.

A family fun day is planned alongside the big match with a bouncy castle, market stalls, food vans and a meet and greet with the famous faces.

Prior to kick-off, families can also enjoy the spectacle of the ‘Fundraising Energy Mascot Race’ which will see children’s characters and famous mascots compete in an It’s A Knockout style obstacle course on the pitch, sponsored by Fundraising Energy.

Geoff Horsfield will also play in the charity match

The day will also include a sport memorabilia auction and a half-time presentation on the pitch for three local football teams who have supported Mary Stevens Hospice in recent months.

Matt Webb, event co-founder, said: “I say it every year but it’s still surreal. To have some of the most iconic names in both clubs’ history getting in touch and asking to be involved is just a wonderful feeling and will mean that we can promise our crowds yet another fantastic game of football.

“The fact that all of it makes care possible for a charity that was so close to mom’s heart really is just the icing on the cake and we can’t wait for Sunday.

"The lads are all well up for the game and we are confident we have got them figured out now – it’s going to be fourth time lucky and a Glassboys victory, I’m sure.”

Amanda Bowen, deputy head of fundraising at Mary Stevens Hospice, added: “The difference this game has made to our families and our care in the last three years simply can’t be overemphasised and we absolutely love doing it every year.

“The memories we create with our supporters are special and we can assure everyone coming along on the day that they are in for an afternoon of comedy, chaos and some absolutely fantastic football.”

Gates open at 1.30pm, with kick-off scheduled for 2.30pm.

Tickets are £5 for adults and free for under-16s and are available on the gate or by visiting www.marystevenshospice.co.uk/events

The match has been sponsored in full by Keltruck Scania, Prospect Coaches and GS Industries, to support patient care at the Hagley Road hospice.

Since it launched in 2016, the football match has raised more than £50,000.