New date announced for special Freckleton football match - featuring ex Premier League pros

The Paul Fiddler Memorial Trophy - in memory of 41-year-old Paul Fiddler who died when a tree fell onto his van on Longton Bypass - was due to be held on Sunday, featuring former Premier League stars and an Emmerdale actor.

But due to torrential downpours this week, the field at The Rawstorne Centre in Freckleton will not be fit to hold the event.

Paul’s sister, Sally Elliott, said: “I am absolutely heartbroken. We have all put so much into this, and I know how much it means to so many people. But the truth is, it just wouldn’t be the day it deserves to be. The pitch simply wouldn’t take two games after all the rain, and more importantly, we want this to be the amazing day it has the potential to be and, in this weather, it just wouldn’t be that.”

The game will now take place on Sunday, July 26, at the same venue, with the same format.

What’s happening and why?

Paul, 41, was massively involved in grassroots foorball, and played for Kirkham Juniors, won the Hogan Cup at Bloomfield Road, and later went on to America on a football scholarship to the University of Rio Grande, where he was part of the only team in the university’s history to win the 2003 cup. He was even invited to trial for the David Beckham Academy.

When he came back to the UK, he eventually moved into coaching at Lytham Town with his best friend Chris Best, and was described as a “well loved coach, football player, gaffer but most of all a true friend”.

The in July is an official North West Community Stars (NWCS) match — they’re a charity team made up of ex-pro footballers who’ve raised over £250,000 for causes across the North West. Last year the memorial match for Paul was held at Bamber Bridge and brought over 1,000 people together, raising £8,500 for local schools and junior football.

This year, it’s been brought to Paul’s home town of Freckleton and there’s a full day of events:

11am – Dave’s Gold Stars (The Hairy Strikers) vs Warton Athletico

2pm – Main match: Fidds Select vs NWCS

Stars involved include Rick Lambert, Stuart Barlow, Shaun Teale, Alex Baptiste, Danny Coid, Jamie Milligan, Richie Allen, Frank Cygall, Joe Warren Plant (Emmerdale), Ronnie Moss, Dave Woodruff, Paul Haddow, Bob Harris and Colin Hendry

Alongside the football there will also be a bar, food, ice cream, kids activities, face painting, bouncy castle, music, and penalties for children.

All welcome to attend.

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