A BIG-HEART mystery backer who donated £2,100 means 59-year-old Father Pat Keogh will play the last few minutes of a charity football match at the Riverside – but YOU can still bid to play from just £210.
Fr Keogh, parish priest at St Joseph’s Parish in Middlesbrough, rarely misses a Boro match and is delighted that his big-hearted but media-shy friend has paid to ensure he lives the dream.
Other fans have bid up to £400 to take part in either 45 or 90 minutes of the match, which takes place on the Riverside pitch on Monday May 12, the day after Boro finish their Premier League season there.
But Father Keogh apart, no one is guaranteed a place in the starting line-up – with the bidding war set to reach its climax this Friday at noon.
Former Boro stars Mark Proctor and Steve Vickers – veterans of almost 600 appearances for the club – will be managers of the two sides, while George Courtney will show why he refereed at two World Cup tournaments and an FA Cup final.
The charity match, on Monday May 12 (6pm), will be the closest most supporters will ever get to being a pro footballer.
There will be the chance to get changed and prepare for the match in the first team dressing rooms, to run out of the tunnel to the sound of Boro’s ‘Pigbag’ theme tune and hear your name called out over the Riverside PA system.
Local kit and leisurewear supplier MSV Sport have kindly agreed to supply all kit for the day. All shirts will carry names and numbers before being donated to the lucky players.
Father Paul Farrer is organising the game with a team of fellow fundraisers, with all profits to be donated to Baghdad Children’s Cancer Hospital in Iraq.
Wannabe Boro stars can bid now to play in set positions in the fans’ match by emailing bids to frpaul@holynameandstthomasmore.org.uk. Bidders should put the position in which they would like to play in the title of their email. They will be emailed back to let them know if they are the highest bidder.
The organisers would also like to hear from those who would prefer to play only 45 minutes. Again, bids should be made by email.
Bids of at least £50 are also now being sought for two mascots for the day.
Reprinted by kind permission of Middlesbrough Football Club