Norwich City legends football against dementia in Yarmouth
Norwich City football legends played in a special charity match in Great Yarmouth on Sunday.
Almost 1,000 people attended the Wellesley Recreation Ground to watch legendary Canaries – including Ruel Fox, Darren Huckerby and Chris Sutton – participate in a charity contest titled « Football Against Dementia ».
NHS staff heading onto the pitch at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth to play against NCFC legends in memory of Mike Sutton.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
The legends beat a team of local NHS Heroes 5-1 to raise awareness of dementia in honour of Chris’ father, Mike Sutton, who died of the disease in December 2020.
Chris Sutton, former striker for Norwich, Celtic and Blackburn Rovers, said: « I’ve felt quite emotional today.
« I used to spend a lot of time at the Wellesley as a youngster in the late 70s and 80s.
« I have some great memories of coming to watch my dad play under Billy Punton.
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« It was a lovely upbringing for us. »
Mike Sutton and Chris Sutton in 1994.
– Credit: Andrew Stenning
As well as a midfielder for Norwich City, Chester, Carlisle United and Great Yarmouth Town Football Club (GYTFC), Mike Sutton was a teacher at Hellesdon High School.
« The number of messages I have received from his former pupils and young sports players makes me proud, » Mr Sutton said.
« I feel honoured to be here and a part of this which is all for raising awareness of dementia and the dangers of heading a football.
« I’ve been campaigning for a long time now for more sensible measures to be put in place regarding headers and injury.
« It’s a really nice thing that the club has done. A big thank you to GYTFC, the organisers and anyone who donated and took part today. »
Trevor Saunders, former GYTFC goalkeeper and managing director of Mandalay Wellbeing, who organised the charity football match.
– Credit: James Weeds
Trevor Saunders, managing director of Mandalay Wellbeing and ex-GYTFC goalkeeper, organised the event.
« It’s been a great turnout, » he said.
« The amount of legends that have come out to support Mike Sutton’s memory and raise awareness against dementia has been brilliant. »
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Dr Alisa Sheldon, of Nelson Medical Centre, won a football kit and donated it to Mr Saunders in the hope that it could be used for a good cause.
Dr Sheldon said: « It’s been really emotional. We’ve all had a tough year including those working with the NHS.
« After the year we’ve all had, it’s an amazing way to spend time with people outdoors. »
Spectators watching the NCFC legends v NHS staff match at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth in memory of Mike Sutton.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Mr Saunders will be committing more of his time to raising awareness of dementia. It is a cause close to his heart as his mother now suffers with the disease.
Dr Rupert Talboys a GP at East Norfolk Medical Practice, scored a goal against Norwich City legends.
– Credit: James Weeds
Dr Rupert Talboys, a GP at East Norfolk Medical Practice, said: « It was a great game and for a great cause.
« It’s been fantastic to see so many people come out to support it.
« The game was very intense. I’ve never played in a match like this.
« There were so many ex-pros and some real legends, so it was tough, but great fun.
« I scored just as soon as I got on the pitch. I was still adjusting, but it just fell in front of me. »
Matthew McComas, a domestic assistant at James Paget University Hospital, was part of the NHS Heroes team.
– Credit: James Weeds
Matthew McComas, a domestic assistant at James Paget University Hospital, said: « It was an absolutely brilliant day.
« It was great to have a day out like this after such a long time indoors.
« It would have been amazing to have scored at least one more, but we came to fundraise, increase awareness of dementia and have fun.
« And we did all three. »
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Players from the legends team:
- Adrian Forbes
- Ruel Fox
- Rob Newman
- Mike Milligan
- Matthew Metcalf
- Farke Knight
- Stephen Blackett
- Darren Huckerby
- Grant Holt
- Tom Casey
- George Sutton
- James Sutton
- Harry Sutton
- Frankie Sutton
- Chris Sutton
- Ollie Sutton
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Players for the NHS Heroes team:
- Barry Crane
- James Mitchell
- Adam Clarke
- Ben Flaxman
- Shaun Barnes
- Gary Beresford
- Rickey Beresford
- Liam Beresford
- Matthew McComas
- Carl Logan
- Jordan Buckenham
- Melvyn Hilsdon
- Kevin Miller
- Gary Ingram
- Rupert Talboys
- Lewis Muffett
- Mark Cammock
- Lee Flynn
- Neil Hacon
- Craig Lewis
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Chris Sutton playing in a match dedicated to his father, Mike.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Grant Holt was a member of the ‘Legends’ squad.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Ruel Fox making a tackle as Grant Holt watches on – The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Adrian Forbes in action during The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Rob Newman and Paul Gibbs were also on the NCFC legends side.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
The NCFC legends v NHS staff match taking place in memory of Mike Sutton at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Chris Sutton during the NCFC Legends versus NHS heroes match at Great Yarmouth Football Club.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Ruel Fox combined with Chris Sutton for the opening goal.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Darren Huckerby in action for the NCFC legends team.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Darren Huckerby, Grant Holt and Chris Sutton in action at a charity game in memory of Mike Sutton.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Chris Sutton watches on during the charity game at Great Yarmouth FC.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Spectators watching the NCFC legends v NHS staff match at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth in memory of Mike Sutton.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Spectators watching the NCFC legends v NHS staff match at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth in memory of Mike Sutton.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Spectators watching the NCFC legends v NHS staff match at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth in memory of Mike Sutton.
– Credit: Danielle Booden
Spectators watching the NCFC legends v NHS staff match at Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth in memory of Mike Sutton.
– Credit: Danielle Booden