England football legends take on the World in support of H4H

Reading FC’s Madjeski Stadium played host to a star studded international football match on 12th November in support of Help for Heroes.

An England squad of football legends, alongside stars from music, sport and film, took on a Rest of the World team brimming with top names in a full international match that was broadcast around the world to all troops currently serving, as well as being broadcast on ITV4. England legends Andrew Cole, Paul Gascoigne, Mark Wright and Des Walker were among the footballers who battled it out. Alongside them were celebrities such as pop star Simon Webbe, boxer Nigel Benn and rugby stars Kyran Bracken, Justin Marshall and Kenny Logan.

Lined up alongside the stars were current servicemen representing the Army, Navy and RAF who were selected to play for their country and as representatives of the armed forces. Click here to view a full match report...

The match was organised by event specialist Toast, who also arranged the recent Bobby Robson Legends match at St James Park Stadium in Newcastle.


Reading FC
The Heroes Cup took place in the Madjeski Stadium, home to Reading Football Club.

To get hold of tickets for future games at the stadium, visit the Reading FC Box Office at www.readingfc.co.uk or call 0844 249 1871.

The Heroes Cup - Celebrity Supporters
	Paul Gascoigne - Football Player "Those men and women who are out in Afghanistan and Basra serving our country or out on the front line every day are real heroes. Players and stars in these matches often get called legends but it’s our forces that are the legends. We see things that are happening on the news all the time but we can’t have any idea what they are facing every day and the risks that they are having to take."
	Andrew Cole - Football Player "This is not about the players, or who plays and even who scores, it’s just an honour to be able to play in a game that means so much. It’s a truly fantastic cause. I, along with all of the players and the celebrities, am going to be there to show support for our troops who do such an amazing job, and for the charity that looks after those that are wounded."
	Joe Calzaghe - Boxer “I am a big supporter of Help for Heroes and what they are doing for all of the wounded troops. This is such a worthwhile cause, especially at a very important time of Remembrance Week as we honour the fallen. I am very much looking forward to doing further work with Help for Heroes in the future to aid their sterling work in providing care to service people wounded in conflicts around the world.”
	Simon Webbe - Singer, Songwriter “These games are always great fun to be a part of and with this match being for Help for Heroes it's even more special to be playing. Help for Heroes is a fantastic charity that’s doing great work for our wounded servicemen. This match is for a great cause and it’s why so many of us are asking to be involved.”
	Tim Lovejoy - TV Presenter "Anyone who knows me, or who has watched Soccer AM over the years will know how passionate I am about supporting the Force. I invented items where members of the Forces could send in pictures of them in their gear and we featured them each week. It was great TV and it gave them some recognition while they were out there securing peoples freedom and putting their lives on the line. I think we should be behind them during conflict and out of it as well.’"
	Tamer Hassan - Actor ''Danny [Dyer] and I are both seen as hard men in our films and proper geezers but the people that really are brave are the soldiers that leave their homes and families to go and fight for their country. I tell you now it takes a special person to go to a country knowing there is a chance you might not make it back. We couldn't see ourselves doing it so these solders need special praise. I can't wait for the game; me and Danny up front will be the business!”
	Danny Dyer - Actor “This match is for a really great cause and Help for Heroes is a brilliant charity but once you are out there you don’t want to lose, you want to play well, you want to win – of course you do. We want to beat this rest of the world mob, this two bit rest of the world mob”
	Angus Deayton - TV Presenter “It’s a thrill just to be involved, to play on professional grounds alongside ex-pros that you’ve admired all your life. And all for a worthy cause like Help for Heroes. It seems like everyone’s a winner. Let’s hope England are too!”
	Kyran Bracken - Rugby Player "Both teamsheets look very strong and I’m excited about digging out my old boots for such a fantastic cause. Recently I’ve been spending more time ice skating than anything else, so it’s great to get the call to get back onto a sports field as part of a fundraiser. The crowd no doubt will be in for a great spectacle, and I sincerely hope that Help For Heroes benefit from the profile and that a significant amount of money is raised."
	Kenny Logan - Rugby Player "Back in September last year, I turned out at Twickenham to play in the Help For Heroes Challenge rugby match. This was a fantastic occasion to be involved in. Help For Heroes is an amazingly worthy charity to support and it was satisfying to know that this game raised over one million pounds. I’m excited about doing the double: rugby and football. A lot of us rugby players are frustrated footballers and like to think we could have made it in the round ball version of the game! The Madejski is a venue I’m familiar with given that the rugby side London Irish play there, but it will be a pleasure to be there with a net at either end and a load of genuine football talent in between. I’m sure this game will be a great success and I wish the charity every bit of continued success in the important work and support that it provides to the Servicemen and women wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq."
	Justin Marshall - Rugby Player "It’s going to be a real pleasure to join up with a host of celebrities and ‘real’ football players all in aid of Help For Heroes at the impressive Madejski Stadium. In my rugby position of scrum half, I do a lot of talking and organising, but not a huge amount of kicking. But I’ve played a bit of football, so I hope I don’t disgrace myself. A goal would be nice, but I’ll be happy just to remember not to pick up the ball."