Tickets are now on sale to watch this year's East Midlands' 'Soccer Six' tournament at One Call Stadium, featuring fans and legends of six East Midlands clubs.
Rival clubs will aim for bragging rights in May to raise money for the āGuide Dogsā charity and you're invited to watch the match at One Call Stadium!We will welcome fans of Nottingham Forest, Derby County, Chesterfield, Leicester City and Notts County for a six-a-side tournament which will pit sets of supporters against each other, as well as a club legend from each team.Ā
Tickets can be purchased in person from the Mansfield Town ticket office, or via telephone on 01623 482 482.Ā
Supporters are invited to represent their club in the competition on the oldest professional football pitch in the world on Sunday 08 May, between 10.30am and 4.30pm. A minimum of Ā£50 sponsorship is required to take part ā all proceeds will go to Guide Dogs, who donāt receive government funding for their services.
Stagsā fan Nathan Edge is organising the tournament, along with his family, after the 21-year-oldās life was turned upside down when he suddenly went blind. He completely lost his sight over the space of a weekend in 2014, and thanks to the charity Guide Dogs heās been given a new lease of life.
Speaking about why he wants to make the tournament a success, Nathan said: āUnfortunately, every hour, every day, someone loses their sight just like me and I want to make sure that they are able to receive the same support that I was lucky enough to get.
āWhen Hudson (Nathanās guide dog) came into my life, I was in a very difficult place. My sight was slowly going, I lost my independence and I lost my freedom. I stopped doing the things I loved and I even stopped coming to football.
āHe was my rock throughout all of that. From there on, weāve gone from strength-to-strength and itās been an incredible journey.
āThe club have been so supportive. I couldnāt ask for anything more, it shows how theyāre there to support the fans of the club; it brings everyone together.ā
His Dad, Mick, believes the event will bring different sets of supporters together and support the work which Guide Dogs do.
āItās against rivals so you can have that bit of banter but itās also about bringing people together. Itās remembering that thereās more to life outside of football.
"Every penny raised will go to Guide Dogs as it receives no government funding for its services."
The One Call Stadium pitch will be split into two halves for the tournament, with under 35s on one side and over 35s on the other. Each team can have a maximum of ten players, including the aforementioned legend.
Supporters looking to take part can go to a ātraining dayā, giving the opportunity for fans to get together. It will take place on the 3G pitches next to One Call Stadium on Sunday 03 April, and fans are advised to meet at 12.30pm to be ready to play at 1pm.
If youāre interested in playing, please email nathan.edge10@gmail.com stating your team and age.