Shrimps staged a memorable charity day in aid of Prostate Cancer
THE stars turned out in force as the Shrimps staged a memorable charity day in aid of Prostate Cancer at the Globe Arena on Sunday.
Shanghai Clever FC, led by Chinese football superstar Fan Zhiyi, won the Shrimps’ charity tournament in aid of the Men United campaign.
The Far East outfit, founded by businessman Yan Yanjie became the first side registered in China to play at an English Football League ground when they took on a Shrimps Legends XI and a Celebrity XI that included a host of former Premier League players.
The event was the first part of the link-up between the two clubs that could see the first Chinese investment in an English club with Shrimps coaches helping to develop football in Shanghai.
In the opening game between the Shrimps and Fan’s Shanghai Clever XI it was the former World Cup star who stole the show, scoring a stunning free-kick past Morecambe youth team ‘keeper Will Kitchen from 30 yards to seal a 1-0 win.
The Morecambe side led by player-manager Jim Bentley and including the likes of his assistant manager Ken McKenna, Stewart Drummond, John Norman, Justin Jackson, Paul Burns, Danny Carlton, Wayne Curtis and more, then lost 2-0 to the Celebrity XI in the second game thanks to goals from Lee Sharpe and Ade Akinbiyi.
The final game between the Chinese side and the Celebrities, who included the likes of Lee Sharpe, David May and Frank Sinclair in their ranks ended in a 0-0 draw with the game heading to penalties to decide the destiny of the trophy.
Despite the best efforts of Shrimps physio Simon Farnworth in the Celebrity goal it was the Shanghai side who ran out winners after the shootout.
Entertainment on the day was provided by More Music, the Lancaster and Morecambe Bay Chinese Community Association and the Morecambe Warblers.
Left: Mike Summers – Football Partnerships Manager, Prostate Cancer UK Centre: Dr Matt Hobbs – Deputy Director of Research, Prostate Cancer UK Right: Peter McGuigan – Chairman, Morecambe FC parenting a cheque for £15,000 today at the Prostate Cancer UK offices in London before travelling to the Palace of Westminster with our Chinese Partners to meet with our local MP David Morris
Shrimps' Chairman, Peter McGuigan said it was a memorable day.
He said: "It was great to see so many football legends turn out to raise a fantastic amount of money for such a good cause.
"It was a great day for the club and when you see the likes of Sam Allardyce giving up their valuable time to be here you can see what a big event it was.
"The Chinese party made history and were delighted with the way the weekend went. and we hope it is another event that will strengthen our growing links with them.''