TWO decades ago Robbie Williams met football agent Kenneth Shepherd at a charity game his friend was playing in.
After watching the game at St James’ Park stadium in Newcastle, the pair wanted to create a similar event to raise money and awareness for suffering children around the world.
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Soccer Aid for Unicef launched in 2006, originally as a one-off event – but 18 years and 13 star-studded games later, it has generated an incredible £106 million for suffering children in some of the world’s most needy countries.
And Sunday’s spectacle in front of a capacity crowd at Stamford Bridge was as popular as ever – with 3.6 million people watching at home, beating ITV’s daytime audience.
England’s 6-3 victory over the World XI – their first victory since 2018 – raised £15m for Unicef.
Singer Robbie, 50, said yesterday: “Thank you for your kind messages about Soccer Aid. Unbelievable. Simply incredible. So proud and so pleased.”
With so much money raised, some believe Robbie could finally receive an OBE – 12 years after his Take That friend Gary Barlow received one for services to music and charity.
The father of four began working with children’s charity Unicef in 1998 and two years later became an ambassador, traveling to countries including Haiti when it was devastated by an earthquake in 2010.
At the first Soccer Aid, Robbie was captain and played alongside his friend Jonathan Wilkes, 45 – who took part in the match that inspired the event.
A source said: “Soccer Aid has turned into something Robbie could never have imagined.
“There are teams in place to work all year round organizing the event and helping distribute resources with Unicef.
“Robbie is very proud of Soccer Aid. They have helped so many people and raised awareness of Unicef and the work they do. It’s incredible.
“The only thing stopping Robbie from getting an OBE is the fact that he spends much of the year abroad, but has now sold his homes in the US and is spending more time in the UK.
“He’s a British icon and a really nice guy. It seems crazy that he hasn’t yet received recognition from the Palace.”
Kenneth, head of Triple S Sports Management and son of former Newcastle owner Freddy Shepherd, previously said: “The idea was conceived when dad and I met Robbie on The Match in 2004, which was a game between ex-professionals and celebrities. .
“Suddenly Soccer Aid was born. Freddy and Robbie agreed to do it for Unicef and turn it into a global initiative for children around the world, and a lasting and fitting legacy for Dad.”
As well as helping to take the total raised above the £100 million mark, Sunday’s game also provided the light-hearted entertainment that has made the occasion so loved by so many.
Love Islander and boxer Tommy Fury, 25 – the younger brother of champion Tyson – left viewers in shock as he produced the funniest moments on Sunday’s show whilst playing for the World XI.
Thank you for your kind messages about Soccer Aid. Unbelievable. Simply incredible. So proud and so satisfied
Robbie Williams
After coming off the bench to the sound of Rocky’s Eye of the Tiger theme song and some booing, he kicked the air instead of the ball and took an underarm throw-in, leading fans to question whether he had actually ever seen one. football game before.
It’s certainly among the best moments we’ve seen from the match, which has been played at Old Trafford and Wembley.
Other highlights over the years include Hollywood actor Woody Harrelson scoring the winning penalty in the 2010 shootout – despite obviously not even knowing what a penalty was – and Kasabian rocker Serge Pizzorno channeling his inner Ronaldinho to launch the ex -England goalkeeper David Seaman.
José Mourinho running onto the pitch to finish off singer Olly Murs, and actor Blake Harrison’s beaming smile before the game are other honorable mentions.
In addition to wanting to support a good cause, there is a competitive streak among participants – from former football players to other sporting icons like Sir Mo Farah, as well as actors like Tom Hiddleston and singers like Tom Grennan.
I’m A Celeb’s Sam Thompson, 31, revealed that heavyweight boxer Tony Bellew, 41, was angry after penalties were awarded against him in training.
‘Tony left furious’
He said: “He stormed out of the goal and said: ‘Why don’t you put your fucking gloves on then?’. So I put on the gloves and saved some of him.”
Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, 45, took charge of the England national team alongside his uncle, former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, 77 – bringing professionalism and a desire to win.
Speaking at a Soccer Aid training day last Friday, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, 45, told The Sun: “Paddy McGuinness beat Sam really badly yesterday – and they’re in the same team!
“He’s lucky he’s flexible, because if it had been me, I think I would have broken both my legs.
“When you walk into the dressing room and your kit is there, and Frank Lampard is there giving a team talk – he played a six-minute motivational video about playing for England – and you’re like, damn, this is a bit serious.
“I haven’t kicked a ball in 20 years, so yesterday I was actually better than I thought I would be. Not good enough, but better than I thought it would be.”
Many of the stars made room for a drink or two at the bar at Champneys spa resort in Tring, Herts, on Thursday night.
But Eddie, perhaps wisely, erred and said, “I can’t do that and have a drink and not expect to pull a hamstring.”
Redknapp said at the training event: “Some of them have slept very late but they are slowing down.
“Frank and I know who’s sleeping in. When the team is chosen, they can sit out.
“Robbie Keane is leading our team astray. He was singing at 10:30 last night and caught them all. Tom Grennan gets up and starts singing, which was worth listening to.
“What we’re going to do is take them (the World XI) to the bar. We will be like that sheep that leads the sheep to the slaughter.
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“My players will take them to the bar and then we will disappear and leave them there so they can start drinking and we will all be in bed.”
He added: “Robbie loves it. He likes Danny Boy a bit – the Irish one, you know. Very fun.”
Harry may well have followed his cunning plan as his team overtook their opponents – who included former Chelsea ace Eden Hazard and Olympics legend Usain Bolt, who was stretchered off after rupturing his Achilles tendon.
There were some headaches yesterday as Strictly star Bobby Brazier, actor Danny Dyer and former Lioness Jill Scott led the celebrations on the coach that took them to the after-party.
Cheering from the sidelines at Stamford Bridge was former Take That singer Robbie, along with his wife Ayda Field, 45, and their children.
Speaking previously about how the donations could be spent, Robbie said: “This could help Unicef move life-saving food supplies around again. It could help ensure that children can still receive routine vaccinations.
Cheering from the sidelines
“It could help kids get back to school, get back to being with their friends, get back to being kids again. The list goes on.”
In a video he posted online thanking fans for their kind messages about the match, Robbie – who was part of the England Soccer Aid coaching team this year – was still in bed just after 1pm after a night of partying.
He is now teetotal after years of drug and alcohol abuse, and has gone from one of the country’s most beloved fundraisers to the best fundraiser.
A non-alcoholic toast to that, Robbie.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
