Stars line up for football match in aid of Manchester Arena attack charities

A host of celebrities and sporting legends are set to take part in the Manchester Remembers charity football match in aid of charities formed in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena attack.

Boxing legend Ricky Hatton, comedian Jason Manford, and I’m a Celebrity winner Danny Miller are among those playing for the Celebrities team, while the Legends team includes former England internationals Nicky Butt, Wes Brown and Trevor Sinclair.

The stars will face each other in a bid to raise funds for five charities over the Coronation bank holiday weekend at Boundary Park in Oldham. The day will also see performances from musicians including the Happy Mondays’ Rowetta.

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Proceeds from the game will go to five charities set up following the 2017 atrocity – The Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust, Liv’s Trust, The Megan Hurley Foundation, The Remembering Nell Foundation, and Eilidh’s Trust.

The event was set up last year, and raised over £80,000 for the charities. Organisers say they have decided to run the event again after 'overwhelming' demand.

Former England internationals Nicky Butt, Wes Brown and Trevor Sinclair will line up for the Legends in a squad which also features ex-players including John Macken, Frank Sinclair and Colin Hendry. Ex-England star Peter Reid is managing the Celebrities, while Sam Allardyce is taking charge of the Legends.

Spectators will be treated to performances from Hunter & the Wolves, a band whose frontman Lee Hunter’s sister Lisa died in the Arena attack, and Courtbetweeners, a Courteeners tribute band. Happy Mondays’ Rowetta will sing as the teams run out.

The event is sponsored by WeDo Business Services. Chief executive Mark