2007/2008

On Sunday 18th May 2008 we held our 3rd Charity Match at Disley Amalgamated Sports Club, Manchester City All Stars v Stockport County All Stars. We raised about Ł5,000 for Inscape House, Christies and the Lynn Faulds Wood Bowel Cancer Trust.
Here is the match report:

For the third year in succession High Lane Football Club held an all stars charity football match at Disley Amalgamated Sports Club. In the past two years a High Lane Veterans team have been the opponents against a Manchester City All Stars team including Peter Barnes, Andy Morrison, Andy May, Neil Pointon, Steve Redmond, Eric Nixon, Dave Bennett, Jim Melrose and many others managed by former Macclesfield Town manager Derek Partridge, who kindly give their time for charity. This year however High Lane were proud to host a team of Stockport County All Stars, as opponents for the City All Stars. Only the Saturday evening before, Jim Gannon and Peter Ward had secured the current County side a trip to Wembley for the League 2 Play Off Final.
Former County star John Rutter had brought back together, players famous at Edgeley park in the 1990s Jim Gannon, Mike Flynn, Tony Barras, Bill Williams, Steve Bullock, Lee Todd, David Frain, Peter Ward, Tom Bennett, Tony Hancock and Paul Wheeler (currently playing for the High Lane Veterans team). This was the first time many of the players had got together since their days at County. With the High Lane Management committee, spearheaded by Mike Eastwood and organiser Phill Brown, franticly getting ready to stage this fantastic event, they need not have worried! the public turned up in their droves to support both sides, for this splendid occasion. Both teams fielded strong sides with City inviting local former Premiership and England star Paul Warhurst to join their ranks. County were 1-0 up after 7 minutes when Wheeler found time and space to calmly slot home. 15 minutes In, and county were two up when current New Mills Manager, Hancock doubled the lead. It looked like City were in for a tough time, until Wills pulled one back with a clever lob from outside the box, 10 minutes later it was 2-2, again Wills latched on to a great ball from Warhurst. Closing in on half-time, County took the lead again when Frain beat the offside trap, with Andy Morrison expecting the flag!

With more than 1,500 spectators enjoying the event the second-half got underway, both sides enjoying an equal share of the play, until Peter Barnes rolled back the years to put a pinpoint cross for Warhurst to equalize for City. With 15 minutes to go County looked to have secured a victory when current Manager, Jim Gannon crossed a great ball in for his Assistant, Peter Ward, to score with a brilliant headed finish, 4-3 County. City then piled on the pressure and with 5 minutes to go Wills was able to complete his hat-trick with a precise finish, final score 4-4.
This was a fantastic event, well organised and well supported by the local community. High Lane Veterans player/manager Kevin Lofthouse would like to thank on behalf of High Lane Football Club, the players and families from both Stockport County and Manchester City for their involvement, and thank all those who supported on the day, as well as the donations from local business's and great work behind the scenes from all the Club members, it is a privilege to be involved in such a great team effort.