AFC Bournemouth
Eddie Howe and his coaching staff will be putting on their boots again for a friendly in memory of former Cherries man John Bailey’s wife, Emma.
Mother of three Emma lost her battle with cancer aged just 40 and in support of John and in order to raise money, Howe and a whole host of former players will be playing in a charity match at New Milton on Sunday.
It’s not only Howe’s coaching staff – such as Jason Tindall and Steve Fletcher – who will be playing, a number of John Bailey’s Auto Windscreens Shield final Wembley squad from 1998 will be present, including Jamie Vincent, Ian Cox, Jason Brissett and Christer Warren.
All of the proceeds from the match will be donated to Oakhaven Hospice, where Emma spent a week in September before she passed away, and Cancer Research UK.
The Cherries team which will be jointly managed by John Williams and Richard Cooke, and Howe told the Daily Echo about the day: “John was a really good player to play alongside and a really good team-mate.
“Emma was a lovely person as well, a really beautiful human being.
“When she was diagnosed with the illness, we felt desperately sorry for John and wanted to help him and his family in any way we could. It is such a tragic loss for them.
“I would only dust off my boots for a very good cause and had no hesitation when I was asked.
“We are raising money for good causes so, hopefully, we can get as many people there as possible.
“When you are playing and in your early 20s, you don’t see the future and don’t see what may happen to your loved ones. You just enjoy playing football.
“As you get older, you see life in a more honest way and see there are tragedies around us all the time.
“People lose loved ones and it is about coming together when it happens and trying to help people when they need it.”
Tickets are priced at £5 and are not available on the day of the game, they must be pre-purchased from the New Milton Town FC Facebook page, Fawcett’s Field or In Off The Far Post on Christchurch Road in Pokesdown.
Gates open at 11am on Sunday 29th April with kick-off at 1pm – food and refreshments will be on sale to accompany an auction and raffle.
For those who can't make the game and want to help, visit: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/new-milton-legends-v-afcbournemouth
