As the UK prepares for a summer of football, what better way to kick off celebrations – than the return of Soccer Aid!
The epic sporting event will be taking place on Sunday 8th June at Manchester’s legendary Old Trafford stadium and will broadcast live on ITV. Two star-studded squads of football legends and the world’s biggest stars will compete in an electrifying football match all in aid of UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s organisation. The brainchild of Robbie Williams and UNICEF UK, this year’s event will once again be hosted by Dermot O'Leary with Kirsty Gallacher pitchside, reporting on all the action as it happens.
An array of Hollywood A-Listers, football legends and some of the UK’s most famous faces will battle it out to win the Soccer Aid trophy.
UNICEF UK Ambassador Robbie Williams will once again lead the England team with Welsh movie star Michael Sheen returning to captain The Rest of the World.
Joining Homeland’s Damian Lewis, Olly Murs, John Bishop, Jonathan Wilkes and Mark Owen in this year’s England squad will be Jack Whitehall, True Blood’s Stephen Moyer and Doctor Who’s Matt Smith. Alongside the familiar faces of TV presenters Paddy McGuinness, Ben Shephard, Bradley Walsh and Heart FM’s Jamie Theakston.
Michael Sheen’s Rest of the World squad welcomes the return of Scottish actor James McAvoy, world famous chef Gordon Ramsay and The Musketeers star Santiago Cabrera. Alongside Westlife's Nicky Byrne, comedian Patrick Kielty, and American new boy Man v Food presenter Adam Richman.
English football legends signed so far include Jamie Redknapp, Jamie Carragher, Paul Ince, David Seaman and Teddy Sheringham. Edwin van der Sar and Jaap Stam are confirmed to appear for The Rest of the World, with many more high-profile names to be announced shortly.
In the lead up to the big event, UNICEF UK Ambassador Cat Deeley will present a 1×60 minute show from the player’s lounge on ITV. This programme will feature hot off the press moments from the squad’s training sessions, the latest news and gossip, plus unprecedented access to the big names as they prepare to battle it out for the Soccer Aid crown.
Tickets are now on sale for fans to see their favourite superstars take to Old Trafford’s hallowed turf.
Announcing the match, UNICEF UK Ambassador Robbie Williams said: “Soccer Aid returns for the fifth time in June and I admit there are scores to settle. Leading the England team, I will be making sure we defend that trophy against Rest of the World. There’s never been a better time for us to show our support for UNICEF so please dig deep and buy your tickets now!”
Money raised through profits from ticket sales and donations made by viewers during the match will go to UNICEF’s invaluable work helping children around the world. This will be the fifth Soccer Aid event, with the previous matches, held at Wembley in 2008 and at Old Trafford in 2006, 2010 and 2012, raising over £12 million in total for UNICEF’s work for children.
David Bull, UNICEF UK Executive Director, said, “Soccer Aid 2014 will raise vital money to help some of the world’s most vulnerable children get life-saving food, medicine and clean water. Every day, children are in serious danger and thousands die needlessly in the struggle against poverty, hunger and disease. It’s time for us all to act. Please, buy a ticket to go to Soccer Aid or watch the match on ITV and help us change children’s lives.”
Soccer Aid 2014 has been commissioned by Elaine Bedell, ITV’s Director of Comedy and Entertainment and Asif Zubairy, Commissioning Editor, Entertainment. The Executive Producers for Initial, an Endemol company are Nic McNeilis and David Staite. Tickets now on sale for Soccer Aid 2014, call 0845 456 2014 or visit manutd.com/socceraid – Calls to this number will be charged at local rates.
Go to www.unicef.org.uk/socceraid to find out more.
