A CHARITY football match between two rival Evesham supermarkets has been hailed as a huge success after raising more than £2,000 for St Richard’s Hospice.
The annual clash between Tesco and Morrisons, which is now in its 20th year, saw the two teams line up once again on Sunday at Evesham United’s Spiers and Hartwell Jubilee Stadium for the Retail Challenge Cup.
To kick off the celebratory event a ‘Legends Match’ was held featuring players who have competed in the tournament in past years. Tesco stormed to victory in that match.
It then all came down to the main match between the two rival supermarkets in a bid to win the coveted Retail Challenge Cup. The reigning champions Morrisons retained their crown after beating Tesco 5-1.
Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Conor Coady presented the victorious Morrsions’ side with the cup.
The match has been played each year since 1998, when Tesco staff member Mark Payne decided to raise money for St Richard’s following the death of his mother, Gill Payne, who was cared for and supported at the hospice.
This year’s event has raised more than £2,300 to add to the £10,000 the annual football match has raised in its 20 year history.
Speaking to the Observer, Mark Payne said: “We’ve raised more than £2,300 with more donations still to come in. We have smashed the amount we raised last year.
“It was a great turnout and we’re already looking forward to next year’s match.
“I’d like to say a big thanks to Evesham United for letting us stage the event there and to the match officials for giving up their own time to help us.”
