Everton and Liverpool legends will put one of football’s fiercest rivalries aside this September as they unite alongside stars of screen, stage and sport for the inaugural #Game4Hope at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Joining forces with celebrities and football icons from around the world, the event will raise vital funds for Shelter and Everton in the Community, while helping tackle homelessness across Merseyside and beyond.
Taking place on Saturday 26 September (4.45pm kick-off), the inaugural fixture will see an all-star Merseyside XI take on a Rest of the World XI in an afternoon combining football legends, celebrity guests, live music and entertainment in support of Shelter and Everton in the Community.
The event comes amid a renewed national focus on homelessness following Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s pledge to eradicate rough sleeping, with #Game4Hope giving football supporters across the region the opportunity to come together and play their part in addressing one of the country’s most urgent social challenges.
Alongside stars from music, sport and TV and film, there will be some serious footballing pedigree on show. Everton giant Peter Reid and Liverpool great John Barnes will serve as joint managers of the Merseyside XI, including Leighton Baines, Gareth Barry, Phil Jagielka, Yakubu, Robbie Fowler, David James, Ryan Babel, Jari Litmanen, John Aldridge, Joleon Lescott and Louis Saha. Joining them to pull on the home purple shirt – a nod to both sides of the city – will be celebrity fans Tony Bellew, John Bishop, James Nelson-Joyce, Molly McCann, Still Ryan and Big Zuu.
The Rest of the World side features Brazil World Cup-winning captain Cafu, Champions League winners Clarence Seedorf and Jaap Stam, former fellow Netherlands international Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Moroccan legend Mustapha Hadji and Forest and England legend Des Walker, with Ted Lasso actors Toheeb Jimoh and Moe Hashim, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro from Gladiators, Johnny Nelson and Jack Fowler. Tinie Tempah will also be playing and performing as part of the half-time show.
With seven-time Women’s Premier League winner Rachel Yankey and Chelcee Grimes also confirmed, Game4Hope will see a number of famous women players and celebrities representing both teams.
More legendary players, celebrities and special guests representing both sides will be announced in the build-up to the game, and Hill Dickinson’s Fan Plaza will see a festival of food, music and entertainment to keep the whole family entertained before and after the game.
Sue Gregory, CEO at Everton in the Community, said: “Homelessness is one of the most urgent challenges facing our communities, and we know only too well through our work across the Liverpool City Region that it can affect people from all walks of life.
“#Game4Hope is about our city coming together to say that nobody should be without a safe and secure place to call home.
“Football has an incredible ability to unite people and, for one special afternoon, we’re putting rivalries aside and using that power to make a real difference.
“We’re incredibly proud to stand alongside Everton Football Club, Shelter, Legends Soccer and LFC Foundation to make this event possible. The funds and awareness raised will help us continue to be there for people facing some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable, while shining a light on both the visible and hidden reality of homelessness across our region.
“I hope supporters from across Merseyside and beyond will join us at Hill Dickinson Stadium for what promises to be a very special day for our city.”
Tickets for this unique fixture go on sale today (Wednesday 19 August).
