A legendary match for Karl this Christmas

5th December 2011

A host of Sheffield United legends and hot-footed celebrity players will compete in a charity match to enable a life-long fan to return home for Christmas.

Stars from popular soaps such as Coronation Street and Eastenders will be taking part in Sheffield United's Legends versus TV All Stars match at the Sheffield FC Stadium in Dronfield on Sunday 11 December to boost the Karl Darby fund, which was set up to raise money to install an external stair lift at Karl's parent's home in Woodseats, Sheffield. Karl suffers from Mycolonic Epilepsy and is confined to a wheelchair. For the past decade he has lived in supported accommodation but hopes to return to his family home permanently in time for the festive season. The celebrity team will include actors such as the Moon brothers from Eastenders, Jamie Lomas and Nick Pickard from Hollyoaks, Will Rush and Tom Milner from Waterloo Road, Chris Fountain from Coronation Street and Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher. The All Stars will take on ex-United players such as Bob Booker, Carl Bradshaw, Craig Short, Rob Page, Alan Wright, John Gannon, David Holdsworth Tommy Johnson, Carl Bradshaw, and Paul Beesley. Dave McCarthy, managing director of Sheffield United, said: Karl is a die-hard Blade fan who attends every United home match and many away games with his dad Roy. Sheffield United and fans have been working tirelessly to raise enough money to build the stair lift needed to ensure Karl can once again live at home with his parents. Work has already begun and without such magnificent support from local businesses and fans we would not have been able to achieve this goal. The All Stars versus Legends match is the perfect opportunity to raise the remaining money needed to complete the project before Christmas. We hope as many of our fans can get to the match and offer their support. Andy Emsley, of Rotherham-based Classic Lifts Ltd, has donated the equipment needed to install Karl's lift and Coda Studios designed and planned the building project. Work began to install the £15,000 lift last week. Andy Emsley added: As a massive Blades fan, it's a pleasure to help out another dedicated supporter in this way. I'm really looking forward to the All Stars and Legends match and seeing some of my heroes wear their red and white stripes again for a great cause. The club is also hoping to host a charity auction for the Karl Darby Fund with items donated by players. The match will kick-off at 1.30pm and tickets cost £4 for adults and £2 for concessions pay on the day at Sheffield FC. Click here to download flyer