Blast from the past - Micky Stead, seen here signing for the Shrimpers, will be boosted by a benefit match at Bowers & Pitsea on Sunday
(Image: SUFC)
A WHOLE host of
Southend United stars will be back together this weekend to raise funds for ex Shrimpers defender Micky Stead.
Stead, who made 341 appearances for Blues between 1978 and 1985, is no longer able to work after spending three months in hospital earlier this year.
And the Southend United Ex Players Association are now rallying round one of their members by staging a match, between an ex Blues XI and the Carli Lansley Foundation, at Bowers & Pitsea’s Len Salmon Stadium on Sunday.
Organiser Andy Leeder said: “We are all looking forward to a great afternoon at Bowers on Sunday and hopefully it will prove to be a real boost for Micky who has suffered with some life-changing health issues this year.
“We have a team full of Southend United legends who have played for our club across five different decades, ranging right from Garry Nelson who made his debut in 1979 when Micky was in the team right through to the likes of Adam Barrett, Steve Tilson and Johnny Herd.
“The three amigos - Kevin Maher, Darren Currie and Mark Bentley - fresh we hope from a good result up at Rochdale, will also be on the pitch, as too will 72-year old Barry Silkman.”
And there will also be a number of familiar faces watching on from the sidelines, including a number of Stead’s ex Tottenham’s team-mates.
“There will also be a host of former players in the crowd with Micky and his family, including David Crown, Jim Stannard, Ron Pountney and many more, plus a number of Micky’s former Spurs teammates such as Tony Galvin, Peter Taylor, Micky Hazard and a few more too,” said Leeder.
“We are still also hoping that Glenn Hoddle, who made his Spurs debut when Micky was in the team, will be with us too.
“ It should be the biggest gathering of former players that SUEPA has ever arranged.”
Sunday’s match kicks off at 3.30pm and it is the second benefit match SUEPA has organised after they previously raised funds for former Blues striker James Walker.
And Leeder admitted lots of hard work had gone into the game.
“Arranging a benefit match is quite an undertaking, we learned a lot from holding our match for James Walker last year so had a good starting point to work from, but in many ways that made it more daunting as we knew what the challenges ahead were,” said Leeder.
“However, after some four months of work, we believe we have now ticked all of the 50-plus boxes on our action checklist.
“The proof that it all works will hopefully come on Sunday.”
And Leeder is hoping for a good attendance.
“Tickets are no longer available online though donations can still be made via the Shrimpers Trust website,” said Leeder.
“However, people can pay on the day at the turnstile, either by card or cash.
“We hope as many as possible can be there to support Micky and make it a top occasion.”
. One is for a very could cause, the other guaranteed to be incredible funny.
