Kent football fans were given a treat on Sunday afternoon as former England stars rolled back the years all for charity.

A Lashings World XI side including the likes of Luther Blissett, Kerry Dixon and Rob Lee were joined by actor Ralf Little as they took on and beat a Maidstone Veterans side 7-3 at the home of Bearsted Football Club.

With hundreds of fans watching on, the Lashings World XI showed that despite their advancing years, they could be more than a match for any team with Perry Groves, Nigel Winterburn, Russell Osman and Frank Sinclair all showing their silky skills as they comfortably won the game.

In what could now become a regular fixture for the Lashings side, Chairman David Folb told Kent Sports News how he would like it to emulate the good work carried out by his cricket side:

“We’re thinking about it. It’s much easier to do it with cricket than it is in football, but yes it is under review and we will give it careful consideration.”

“I’m glad we came along and supported two guys who put a lot into local football, which is Alan Butcher and Les Apps. It’s all for a good cause and it’s been an enjoyable day with lots of laughs, lots of fun and a few beers too!”

“It’s been well supported and Mark Bright helped me with all the arrangements and all in all it has been so good to see so many great names on show for Lashings.”

As for former Crystal Palace striker Bright, he was revelling being in the dugout in his first managerial role, despite being on crutches after a hip operation:

“It has been a decent game of football with some no nonsense tackling going on. Ralf Little had to come off after getting a real whack.”

Bright has also tasted what it is like to have been a manager and the stresses that go with it, after Nigel Adams MP refused to go back onto the pitch after his side were down to ten men with injuries:

“Nigel is doing a Tevez and refusing to go on! Fair play to him though as he has helped with all this and it shows what a top bloke he is for getting involved.”

With various charities to benefit from the game, Lashings have yet again shown that their brand can bring people together all in a good cause.

Picture: Russell Osman and Ralf Little

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