GARRY BIRTLES, whose football journey took him from Long Eaton United to winning two European Cups with Nottingham Forest, has paid tribute to Basford United for supporting a charitable cause particularly close to his heart.
The Northern Premier League club are hosting a bumper fund raising day on Sunday, June 27 bringing together famous names from the worlds of football and entertainment in aid of the Treetops Hospice.
Former England captain and manager Kevin Keegan and Birtles' former Forest teammate and highly successful boss Martin O'Neill will be organising teams competing for the Samantha Birtles Trophy in honour of Garry's wife who is suffering from terminal pancreatic cancer.
“You always hear a lot about the football family and then you it really does exist,” Birtles told The NLP.
“People from every part of football – from grassroots to some of the most famous names in the game – are supporting us in one way or another. It's been staggering.
“Basford United have been brilliant in taking this on board in both hosting the event and the work they have put into it.
“The game is currently a 1,300-ticket sell out at the Greenwich Avenue Stadium although we are still hoping more tickets could become available.”
Basford's manager Steve Chettle, an apprentice when Birtles was a star striker at the City Ground, is among a number of players from Forest's illustrious past pledging their support.
Birtles is expecting a strong turnout from Forest's European Cup winning team with Gary Mills, now Corby Town manager, and Tony Woodcock planning to play in the game.
“Tony did invite me to reunite our partnership at Forest, but I'll be taking in this match with a glass of wine from the stand,” said Birtles, who is caring for his wife.”
More recent Forest names on the guest list include Andy Reid, Mark Crossley, Chris Cohen and Guy Moussi whilst there have been heart-warming gestures of support from England managers past and present Roy Hodgson and Gareth Southgate, and England stars Alan Shearer and Chris Waddle.
Ricky Wilson, from the Kaiser Chiefs, some of the Emmerdale cast and football-loving Vicky McClure, of Line of Duty fame, are some of the celebrities on board.
The European Cup will be on display along with priceless football memorabilia.
