Tom 13834 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper returned to St. James' Park on Tuesday to announce plans for a star-studded charity fixture which will celebrate his 20-year spell at the Club. A Newcastle United XI, selected by the popular shot-stopper, will take on AC Milan Glorie - a legends team from Italian Serie A giants AC Milan - at the home of the Magpies at 7pm on Wednesday, 11th September, with all proceeds being split between three charities close to Harper's heart. The Great North Children's Hospital, Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and Newcastle United Foundation will all benefit from the one-off Steve Harper 20 Years Charity Match, boosting their respective projects throughout the North-East. Harper, who recently signed for Barclays Premier League new boys Hull City, will call upon Magpies legends and ex-teammates including Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand, Rob Lee and Faustino Asprilla in his United ranks, while the AC Milan Glorie squad will feature a host of revered Rossoneri icons including Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Andriy Shevchenko. Harper said: "This match is a massive honour for me. I had a fantastic send off against Arsenal at the end of last season so this is really my opportunity to say thank you to a region which has given me so much support and to use my time to raise as much money as possible for three incredible causes. "To have some of the best players to have ever worn the black and white shirt back at St. James' Park alongside some of the greatest names from Milan is fantastic and with every penny raised going three important North-East charities, I hope as many people as possible can come along and enjoy it. I'm sure it will be a special night." Legendary Italian defender Baresi, who will captain AC Milan Glorie on Tyneside, added: "I would like to firstly congratulate Steve Harper on his 20 years with Newcastle United. "I was very happy to hear of the possibility of AC Milan Glorie travelling and playing against a Newcastle United Legends team at such a famous stadium. "I know the passion of Newcastle fans and I know of the Club's history and the love of football in the city so I congratulate Steve and wish the fans and Newcastle United a magnificent occasion." The fixture is being orchestrated on Harper's behalf by the Newcastle United Foundation, which has worked closely with Azzurri Sports Management and counterparts at AC Milan's own Foundation to secure a stellar cast of players. Kate Bradley, head of Newcastle United Foundation, said: "We are delighted to be organising the Steve Harper 20 Years Charity Match. "Steve was an immensely popular figure at the football club and it's a pleasure to bring AC Milan Glorie to St. James' Park in his honour. "The match will be raising money for three fantastic charities, which will ultimately benefit people from across the whole of the region. We hope the North-East will get right behind the match and show their appreciation for Steve's contribution in his 20 years at Newcastle." Speaking on behalf of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Lady Elsie Robson said: "It's very thoughtful of Steve to include the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation as a beneficiary for his charity match. "He's always been a great supporter of our work and makes himself available to help wherever he can. He's a grand lad and very obliging. "As a player, he was someone Bob could rely on. Really, he's carried on being a steady pair of hands for us too and I'm grateful for that. "We're in the company of some other wonderful local charities who are also going to be helped through this match. I'm sure it will be a fantastic night. I hope the fans get behind the game and give Steve a huge send off and well-deserved thank you." Pauline Buglass, head of fundraising for Newcastle Hospitals, said: "The Great North Children's Hospital is a wonderful facility but it is generosity like Steve's which enables us to really enhance the environment we can provide for young people and their families. "We are very grateful for Steve's kind gesture and we wish him and everyone connected with the match every success." Tickets for the Steve Harper 20 Years Charity Match will go on sale at www.nufc.co.uk from 10am on Friday, 2nd August, priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children/concessions. Final squad lists will be confirmed in due course, with a number of star names yet to be announced. £10 for tickets. I'm looking forward to this more than the season oh and..... Baresi, who will captain the Milan side said: "I would like to firstly congratulate Mr Steve Harper on his 20 years with Newcastle United. "I was very happy to hear of the possibility of AC Milan Glorie travelling and playing against a Newcastle United legends team at such a famous stadium. "I know the passion of Newcastle fans and I know of the club's history and the love of football in the city, so I congratulate Steve and wish the fans and Newcastle United a magnificent occasion." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Kelly 1117 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Will definitely be going to this like. This is exactly the sort of thing you want from a testimonial game these days (tbf I don't think anyone would get behind a testimonial for a premiership player if he was pocketing the money himself anymore). Can't wait to see the likes of Baresi, Maldini and Costacourta. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13834 Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 Yeh I'm definitely going. I've offered me mate who took me to Milan a ticket so it'll be interesting for him as well. Hopefully he wont get brayed for wearing a Milan shirt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkeys Fist 38708 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Looking forward to this. Might take my daughter to her first game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Kelly 1117 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 I think he'd be safe on such an occasion. The Milan team that had those players in it was from another world, it's probably the only other team I've ever supported. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayatollah Hermione 12757 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Should be a class Milan line-up this, mind. I hope George Weah and Marco Simone are announced. In a dream world, J69 would get to meet Van Basten again and have it out with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Kelly 1117 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 A bit of Albertini and Boban wouldn't go amiss too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 5900 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Should be a class Milan line-up this, mind. I hope George Weah and Marco Simone are announced. In a dream world, J69 would get to meet Van Basten again and have it out with him. I wouldn't give the ignorant cunt the lickings of a dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 8986 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkeys Fist 38708 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayatollah Hermione 12757 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 I wouldn't give the ignorant cunt the lickings of a dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marco.VB 0 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 I wouldn't give the ignorant cunt the lickings of a dog I had a similar thought when you wanted a photo... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 5900 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Wahey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkeys Fist 38708 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaddockLad 14576 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Hasnt one of the lads on here met Baresi at a work do or something? Didnt he say he admired our support to the TT member?...NJS? Gloom? slp?... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayatollah Hermione 12757 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Hasnt one of the lads on here met Baresi at a work do or something? Didnt he say he admired our support to the TT member?...NJS? Gloom? slp?... Aye, rings a bell that. Think it was JawD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkeys Fist 38708 Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Got a picture with him and everything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JawD 31 Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Aye. Met him a few times. Had dinner with him in Milan, got signed shirts and so on. I'm trying to see if I can arrange something for this game as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 8986 Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Aye. Met him a few times. Had dinner with him in Milan, got signed shirts and so on. I'm trying to see if I can arrange something for this game as well. Tell you what, if you do manage to get a hold of him, I know Cahonas Scotland (the charity Richie is involved with) would snap your hands off for some kind of donation from him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChezGiven 0 Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Did you sell him some air conditioning? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13834 Posted July 31, 2013 Author Share Posted July 31, 2013 Aye. Met him a few times. Had dinner with him in Milan, got signed shirts and so on. I'm trying to see if I can arrange something for this game as well. You utter bastard. (Though I am aware you met him for the Milan Derby I didn't know you were bff's ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JawD 31 Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Tell you what, if you do manage to get a hold of him, I know Cahonas Scotland (the charity Richie is involved with) would snap your hands off for some kind of donation from him. Good shout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JawD 31 Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Did you sell him some air conditioning? Missed an opportunity didnt I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToonMarshy 2 Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 Couldnt resist picking up tickets for this for me the mrs and a few mates. I know people always rag on about testimonaials sometimes being rigged and pointless etc. But with the list of players hes been drafting the past month there's no way in hell I was going to miss this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobos 297 Posted August 3, 2013 Share Posted August 3, 2013 So gutted I can't go to this match. It sounds fuckin amazing, and my god Harper must be creaming himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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