TWO football teams will battle it out next weekend to help raise money for disabled children. Oxford United Legends and the SpecialEffect Allstars face each other at Oxford City Football Club’s ground in Marsh Lane on Sunday. They are raising cash for SpecialEffect, a charity that offers access to computer games for disabled children, and five-year-old Charlotte Nott, who lost her limbs to meningitis as a baby.

James Woollard, managing director of Polythene UK, a Witney based company that sponsors Oxford United, won the bid to lead the Oxford United Legends team, paying £330 for the privilege.

Mr Woollard said: “My company has been a supporter of Oxford United as one of the first team main sponsors and the ladies team since they were under 16s.

“We have also supported a number of SpecialEffect events over the past four years, so both groups mean a lot to me and the company.

“I have not kicked a football in anger for about five years and it’s about time I hung up my boots. But as an OUFC fan what better way to retire from the game?”

More than £1,500 has been raised ahead of the match, including £520 in an online auction for the two captains’ places. Steve Peirson is the captain of the SpecialEffects team after friends clubbed together to bid £190 for his 40th birthday.

Mr Peirson will play alongside his brother Richard, a former Oxford City FC and England Under 19s player.

The 39-year-old, from Haydon Wick, Swindon, said: “I am absolutely thrilled. “I cannot believe my friends have done that.

“Some of the people who are playing are great ex-league players.

“It is going to be fantastic, they are such amazing charities.

“Something like SpecialEffect helps disabled children enjoy life and have fun.”

Among the players appearing are Oxford United manager Chris Wilder, United’s first team coach Andy Melville and former director of Oxford United Jim Rosenthal.

  • The charity match kicks off at 1pm. Tickets are £5 for adults, £2.50 concessions and children under five go free.
  • Visit specialeffect.org.uk/ events/legends or donate by visiting justgiving.com/ SpecialEffectVOxfordUnitedLegends