Manchester Remembers charity football match to commemorate Manchester Arena bombing five years on

Two star-studded teams will take to the field to raise money for five different charities to mark the anniversary of the shocking terrorist attack in Manchester.
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Manchester will come together for a star-studded charity football match to remember the victims of the terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena five years on.

Manchester Remembers will see two teams, one side made up of celebrities and the other of ex-professionals, clash at the Manchester City Academy Stadium to raise money for five charities related to the bombing.

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The game is the idea of local businessman Paul Corrigan and ex-police officer Aaron Lee who was one of the first emergency responders at the Arena on that dreadful night on which 22 people were killed.

Here’s your guide to when the match is taking place, who is taking part and how you can get tickets to be there on what promises to be a very special occasion.

When is the Manchester Remembers match and why is it taking place?

The Manchester Remembers charity football game will take place on Sunday 3 April at the Manchester City Academy Stadium with kick-off at 3pm.

The match will commemorate the fifth anniversary of the appalling terrorist attack on the Manchester Arena in 2017.

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It will raise money for five different charities, some of which were set up by the families who lost loved ones.

The match is being organised by Manchester businessman Paul Corrigan and former police officer Aaron Lee.

Emergency services working at the scene of the Manchester Arena Bombing. Picture: SWNS Emergency services working at the scene of the Manchester Arena Bombing. Picture: SWNS
Emergency services working at the scene of the Manchester Arena Bombing. Picture: SWNS

Aaron was one of the first emergency service personnel to arrive on the scene at the Arena and has continued to have a close relationship with the victims’ families, taking part in a number of activities to raise money for their charities.

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It is hoped the football match will raise thousands of pounds for the five causes.

More than 1,000 people were injured when a bomb was detonated at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in an act which shocked the city and the world.

Of the 22 concertgoers killed, 10 were aged under 20.

The match is being organised in partnership with Manchester FA and Salford Red Devils.

Who is taking part in the match?

A team of celebrities will take on a side made up of ex-professionals for the match and there are a host of big names already signed up.

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The celebrities team will feature the likes of comedian Jason Manford and former Love Island contestant Dom Lever.

The ex-professionals who will be lacing up their boots once more include former Manchester United player Clayton Blackmore, ex-City winger Trevor Sinclair and Paul Merson.

Jason Manford will be lining up for the celebrities team. Photo: Getty Images Jason Manford will be lining up for the celebrities team. Photo: Getty Images
Jason Manford will be lining up for the celebrities team. Photo: Getty Images

And the latest players to confirm they will be involved are ex-England striker Darren Bent and his fellow talkSPORT presenter Darren Ambrose.

The legends team will be managed by Sam Allardyce, while Joe Royle and Peter Reid will take charge of the celebrities’ side.

How do I get tickets?

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In total 7,000 tickets have gone on sale to the general public for the match.

Standard tickets are £20 for adults and £10 for concessions and are available from Manchester City’s website.

Hospitality tickets start from £100 and include a three-course meal as well as drinks before and after the game. Those in hospitality will also have the chance to take part in a raffle, where all proceeds will be donated to the five charities the match is supporting.

What has been said about the match?

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Co-organiser of Manchester Remembers Aaron said: “Since the attack we’ve raised over £44,000 for charities that directly support the victims’ families and young people across Greater Manchester, and the Manchester Remembers football match is a massive opportunity to try and double that total.

“What happened on that night shocked not just Manchester but the world. As we approach the five-year anniversary, Paul and I knew we had to do something special and remember those that were so sadly taken from their families, and felt launching a city-wide football game would help us raise funds that could really make a difference.”

Mark Rutherford, who lost his daughter Chloe on the night of the attack, said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed with the support towards the charities set up after the atrocity and the kindness all of those families impacted by the attack have received over the last five years.

“We would like to thank all the players from both ex-pros and celebrities for giving up their time to support this event and a huge thank you to Aaron Lee, Paul Corrigan and all the team at Manchester City for their hard work pulling this together.”