A very special game at Penrith’s Frenchfield helped raise over £20,000 in memory of popular Cumbrian footballer Tony Hopper.
The game between Legends of Carlisle United and a corresponding squad of Workington and Penrith old favourites played a game to celebrate what would have been Tony’s 50th birthday.
The money raised will be split between the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Eden Valley Hospice.
Lee Hoolickin and Graham Anthony skippered the respective teams in front of a near 400-strong crowd.
The Penrith/Workington combined team wore a unique half blue, half red kit and were managed by Dave Heslop and Kenny Brown.
Mick Wadsworth took control of the Carlisle squad and was assisted by Mark Birch.
Included in the Carlisle United old boys squad were Danny Grainger, Lee Andrews, Danny Livesey, Luke Joyce, Mark Boyd, Graham Anthony, Dan Kirkup, Ian Milburn, Dan Hopper, Stuart Whitehead, Richard Prokas and Derek Walsh.
Reds raced into a an early two goal lead thanks to a sublime Grant Holt finish and a firm low strike from Scott Allison.
They were 4-1 ahead at one point but, in true charity match tradition, allowed the opposition to salvage a draw.
And it was Tony’s youngest son, Jack, who inspired the comeback with a match-saving hat-trick, securing a 5-5 draw.
Young Jack netted three times in 10 minutes to claim the match ball and was joined on the scoresheet by Danny Livesey and Matty Williamson.
Graham Goulding, Craig Wilson and Finn Hoolickin completed the scoring for the united Penrith/Workington team.
But the winner, over the weekend of fundraising, was the MND and Eden Valley Hospice, with over £20,000 raised.
Tony, who played mostly for Carlisle and Workington, during his playing career had died aged 42 after a battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
