Petts Wood dads celebrate 4K football match for Tom Parker charity

Both teams, who usually play five-a-side casually on Wednesday evenings decided to organise a full-sized game and a giant raffle to raise money for Ahead of The Game Foundation, which raises funds and awareness for Brain Tumour Research.

The match took place on Sunday, November 27 at Charlton Athletic Community Trust ground in New Eltham.

The final score was 2-1 to Nick’s team, with one player suffering a broken bone in the ankle during the match.

• READ MORE: Tom Parker charity to benefit from Petts Wood football match

Captain of the winning team Nick Davidson said: “For the first hour we played really well and then got our team few injuries and a broken ankle at one point.

“The score was two-one to us in the end and well deserved.

“All the families and players came back to The Daylight Pub in Petts Wood after the game, and everyone got on so well - you start to realise some kids already know other kids there and wives already know other wives.

“We definitely had quite a few drinks into the night."

Andrew Bowden-Brown is one of the founding members of Nick’s team and helped win their first-ever five-a-side game alongside his brother Neil.

Andy broke a bone in his ankle during a 50/50 tackle but “carried for ten minutes like a hero”.

His injury may mean that he won’t be able to continue playing five-a-side in the future. Speaking about Andy, Nick said: “Most players try to play as far away as possible so they can’t hear him shouting at them. We regularly hear ‘Where’s my midfield?’ echoing across the pitch.

“His performance as centre back in the charity match was outstanding until his injury, and as he rightly points out no goals were conceded when he was on the pitch.

“He may not be able to play again with us, but he will always be a key part of the group.

“A self-proclaimed legend and hero – and who am I to argue. It’s what he does.”

Andy and his injury (Image: Nick)

Lydon Smith, the other team’s captain, said: “I can't begin to tell you how great the entire day was and the camaraderie in the build-up it.

“It's created this bond between us that is difficult to explain considering no one knew each other at the start of this year.

“I am really taken back by the generosity and positivity this match has created - it goes to show despite the fast-paced, challenging world we live in, at heart there is so much goodwill there too.”

Although Lydon said he was “absolutely gutted” about the defeat he said it “was a great game overall and even more motivation for a rematch in the spring.”

Ked Mather, a dad on Nick’s team added: “There is no doubt other dads out there who would want to play football in the area and we would love another team come forward and starting their own thing - potentially we could do a charity tournament one day.”

Celebrations after at the pub (Image: @littlechaosphotography)

The group were keen to play for a notable cause which mattered to the community, and with Tom Parker, his wife Kelsey and their two young children Aurelia and Bodhi being local to Petts Wood, they said it “just made sense”.

The Wanted singer died at a hospice near the couple’s home on March 30 at the age of 33 after being diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma.

You can still donate to Kelsey’s GoFundMe here.

Both teams would like to give a big thanks to Charlton Athletic Community Trust for offering the pitch and referees and linesmen for the match itself.

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