England Legends v Rest Of The World XI
PFA 'Match Of The Century' Centenary
1.30pm, Sunday 2 December 2007
The City Of Manchester Stadium
Click here for ticket details
Two former England managers will be going head-to-head in December, as an England Legends team take on a Rest Of The World XI to help the Professional Footballers’ Association raise money for a new Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Unit at the University Childrens' Hospital in Manchester.
Terry Venables, the current England Assistant Coach and a former Manager, will take charge of the England squad which features a whole host of distinguished former Lions, whilst Sven Goran Eriksson will be selecting from some of the best players the world has had to offer over the last few years as the PFA celebrates its centenary year at the City Of Manchester Stadium.
As part of the celebrations, the PFA aim to raise £1m to fund the new medical facility and help hundreds of children in the process.
It has been thoroughly backed by international players from all over the world too, with the squads now named for who will converge on Eastlands for the game.
The list of players vying for a spot in the starting line ups for the 'Match Of The Century' in just over a month's time reads like a veritable who's who of world greats.
For England, the likes of Paul Gascoigne, skipper Alan Shearer, Des Walker, Ian Wright and Chris Waddle will all be keen to play a significant part in what is sure to be a magnificent occasion.
Whichever team Venables decides to start with, they will certainly have their work cut out against a Rest Of The World team boasting such global stars as skipper Gianfranco Zola, Marcel Desailly, Neville Southall, Andrei Kanchelskis and Ruud Gullit and many others.
Speaking about the occasion, Venables said: "The fact that the PFA want to use this, their Centenary Year, to raise £1m to help young children, is typical of the association and I am delighted and proud to be able to play a small part in helping them reach their goal.
“It will be an exciting afternoon and the calibre of players on display should ensure that it is an occasion fitting of such a worthwhile event.”
Eriksson added: "The PFA does fantastic work and raises thousands of pounds for good causes. There can be none better than the Childrens Unit they are trying to build in Manchester through their 'One Goal, One Million' charity.
"It will be strange managing a team against England. Maybe I will able to use some of my knowledge of their players to help the Rest Of The World!"
The squad for England Legends is: Chris Woods, Dave Beasant, Warren Barton, Paul Parker, Viv Anderson, Des Walker, Dave Watson, Gary Mabbutt, Gary Pallister, Graeme Le Saux, Nigel Winterburn, Jamie Redknapp, Paul Ince, Dennis Wise, Robert Lee, Lee Sharpe, Steve Hodge, Chris Waddle, Steve McManaman, Paul Gascoigne, Alan Shearer, Ian Wright, Les Ferdinand, Paul Walsh, Peter Beardsley, Cyrille Regis.
The squad for Rest Of The World is: Neville Southall (Wales), Erik Thorstvedt (Norway), Roland Nilsson (Sweden), Marcel Desailly (France), Pietro Vierchowod (Italy), Lorenzo Amoruso (Italy), Richard Gough (Scotland), Artur Numan (Netherlands), Denis Irwin (Republic of Ireland), Jay Jay Okocha (Nigeria), Roberto Di Matteo (Italy), Ali Benarbia (Algeria), Andrei Kanchelskis (Russia), Anders Limpar (Sweden), Gary McAllister (Scotland), Neil Lennon (Northern Ireland), Gus Poyet (Uruguay), John Collins (Scotland), Dmitri Alenichev (Russia), Gianfranco Zola (Italy), Ruud Gullitt (Netherlands), Ian Rush (Wales), Giuseppe Signori (Italy), Niall Quinn (Republic of Ireland), Ally McCoist (Scotland), Shaun Goater (Bermuda), Sergei Yuran (Russia).
More details can be found on the PFA's website, http://www.givemefootball.com/
The City of Manchester Stadium is expected to be packed to capacity for the match. Tickets, however, are still available by calling 0870 062 1894 (Option 1, where a £1 booking fee applies).