FOOTBALL followers across Suffolk and Norfolk are being urged to turn out to support a fund-raising match later this month.

The game has been organised in support of Great Yarmouth Town FC – to help “keep this proud Ridgeons league club alive”.

Fellow Ridgeons League club Kirkley & Pakefield have rallied round to host the match in aid of the Bloaters at Walmer Road on Tuesday, February 21.

The match is being backed by champions-elect Wroxham, and Gorleston FC, with management at those two clubs – David Batch and Richard Daniels – lining up for guest appearances alongside K&P boss Paul Tong in a mixed Royals side that includes a selection of the first team squad.

Former Norwich City favourites Greg Shepherd and Greg Downs will also team up with former Lowestoft Town players – including Darren Cockrill and Gary McGee – in the K&P squad, which is managed by club coach Robbie Horton and assistant Russell Stock.

They will face a Gt Yarmouth Town FC squad featuring players past and present, in the match that kicks off at 7.45pm. Entry costs �4 for adults and �2 for children. The officials for the game have also agreed to waive their fees and expenses.

“This game is the idea of Mike Guymer, K&P’s first team administration manager, who wanted to raise funds to ensure that Great Yarmouth Town FC remained in existence following the news that they were suffering serious financial hardship,” a K&P spokesman said.

Originally, the game was due to be played at The Wellesley, but the Bloaters advised that they would be unable to stage the game due to a lack of personnel available. K&P then offered to stage the game at Walmer Road with all monies received from the gate, raffle money and a percentage of bar takings on the night to be passed to Great Yarmouth Town FC.

Suffolk FA have given the match the go-ahead and this week, Guymer told The Journal: “We were aware that Yarmouth Town had financial problems so I thought I would see if I could get a game on for them to raise a few bob. My first port of call was Bob Jenkerson, K&P chairman, who gave me permission to go ahead with trying to organise the game. I contacted around 20 of the local clubs, with Wroxham FC keen to help and they will also be supplying a merchandise stall on the night, with all profits going to Yarmouth,” he added.

“A variety of local talent has been assembled (for the game) with the help of some good friends from the past who are only to pleased to help the cause and Norwich City have donated a signed football for the raffle.”

The match is also being supported by The Journal, and among the guest appearances will be: Marty Hubble (K&P assistant), James Hutchinson (K&P Reserves manager), Mark Hood (K&P Reserves assistant), Jon Edridge (Wroxham FC), Craig Lewis and Dale Haylock (ex-Lowestoft FC) and Adrian Harris (ex-Gorleston).