Last Saturday's football match between the Once upon a Smile celebrities and a Salford Saxon's X1 was a resounding success, raising over £5,300 for the bereavement charity. The annual fundraiser even managed to eclipse the total from previous occasions. It was a great family day with a match played in the right spirit for a great cause.
The game finished 7-0 to the Once upon a Smile celebs, with the class of charity squad too much for the spirited Salfordians. Jake Quickenden showed that he had the X-Factor in front of goal and weighed in with a well finished hat-trick, much to the delight of the crowd. At the other end, former Manchester United defender Danny Higginbotham kept the locals at bay, while ex Sunderland player Neil Wainwright controlled the midfield with a virtuoso man-of-match display.
The game, and a great after-party that starred James Shinny Davenport and Niall Barnes, managed to bring in punters and raise much needed funds for the charity. Organiser Paul Hughes was made up with the outcome of the event and was keen to give thanks to all those involved, which included "a massive thank you to my beautiful wife Leanne Rigby-Hughes for all her help with putting on this fabulous event".
The game proved to be a fitting showpiece for the charity. It was also a nice touch that the trophy for the winners was named after Paul's nephews Riley and Radley who sadly passed away in March. It went that well that both FC United and Once upon a Smile are ready to do it all again next year.
For more details see also the preview of the event - click here
For more details of the team squad and the work of Once upon a Smile - click here
Words by Ian Leslie
Main photo shows Paul Hughes, Danny Higginbotham and Shinny
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