First over 50s Muratti to be contested tonight

Friday 11 May 2018

Two charities that care for some of the Channel Islands’ most physically disabled people are to benefit from the first ever over 50’s Muratti football clash, which will be contested in Jersey tonight - ahead of tomorrow's main Muratti fixture.

The match in aid of Guernsey Cheshire Home and Jersey Cheshire Home will take place at Springfield Stadium with an 18:30 kick off time, with a number of well-known names from local football of the past pulling on their kits and boots to take part.

Each player on both sides is paying a £100 donation to the charities to take part and although there will be no charge at the gate there will be pitch side collections and also an informal fundraising dinner afterwards to boost the amounts raised. 

Guernsey Super Veterans chair Paul Ockleford has been a board member of the Guernsey Cheshire Home since the middle of last year while the chair of the charity is fellow GSV player Rob Sheppard. Among their Jersey contacts were St Peter FC stalwart and boss of CI Engravers Jon Welsh, who managed the Island’s junior side at the same time as Mr Ockleford held that job in Guernsey.

They spoke about the possibility of an over 50s Muratti when they both watched a St Peter match in Guernsey last year and the idea moved on from there with Mr Welsh recruiting Jersey Cheshire Home’s head of physiotherapy Steve Martin to help. Since that decision they have brought together a team that will be managed by former Jersey FA Team boss Kevin McCarthy.

Mr Welsh said it is hoped that the game will become an annual fixture and already the GSV are ready to invite a Jersey team over to play a triangular tournament with England over 50s in September. 

Pictured: Jon Welsh and Steve Martin 

The Guernsey team boss is Phil Corbett; a well-known name in local football, who has also managed past Muratti teams for the green and whites.

The GSV team was affiliated with the Guernsey FA in November last year and was set up to provide opposition to an England over 50s team that wanted to play in Guernsey. Initially there were 16 players available to GSV who each played two thirds of the first game.

However, Mr Ockleford said that the popularity of over 50s football had grown significantly and between 40 and 50 players now meet monthly for an 11 a side game. "The benefits of playing and being involved have surprised me and the comments of enjoyment, feeling healthier by joining in are nice to hear," he said.

Jersey FA marcomms manager Joseph Smith said: "The Jersey FA is delighted to support this historical fixture in aid of two incredible charities. We would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard behind the scenes to get this fixture on. I now hope the public will come out in force to support both teams."

The below players expected to be involved are below: 

Jersey squad from: Paul Carberry, Tony Salaun, John Warren, Sean McDonald, Dougie Ross, Paulo Campos, Paul Beckett, Tony Lawlor, Peter Grierson, Jon Welsh, Steve Martin.Chris Le Guyader, Jon Kellett, Tim Dallas-Chapman, Gary Freeman Paul Beckett, Martin Forbes, Julio Moniz and Paul Lennon

Guernsey squad from: Cameron Ingrouille, Darren Cooley,  Kevin Burgess, Paul Philp, Kevan Marquand, Phil Breban, Paul KeltiePaul Ockleford,  Rob Shepherd, Robbie Dover,  Colin Ozanne, Rob Jones, Lee Manning, Mike Lees, Joey Fitchet and Stuart Coburn

Match referee: Steve Proffitt

Pictured top: Guernsey players; standing L - R Stuart Coburn, Darren Cooley, Keven Marquand, Lee Manning, Cameron Ingrouille, Colin Ozanne, Rob Jones, Phil Breban. Kneeling L - R Mike Lees, Paul Keltie, Kevin Burgess, Joey Fitchet, Paul Ockleford, Robbie Dover, Rob Shepherd.