Bean to manage Blades Legends team in Bramall Lane charity game

10th May 2016

Hollywood actor Sean Bean will be returning to the Bramall Lane dugout when he takes charge of a team of Sheffield United legends, as they take on a Fulham All Stars side including Jimmy Bullard and TV star Jack Whitehall in a charity football match at Bramall Lane.

Lifelong Blades fan Bean, who took penalties in front of the Kop in 1996 during production of the British film When Saturday Comes, will take charge of a Sheffield United Legends team featuring several players from the Blades' Premier League promotion-winning squad of the 2005/06 season. The charity game is expected to see former boxing world champion, Joe Calzaghe, line up alongside former Fulham players Bullard, Rufus Brevett, Sean Davis, Kit Symons, soap star Chris Fountain, Gogglebox celebrity George Gilbey and 'The Wanted' singer Tom Parker, also turning out for the Fulham All Stars. Former Blade and Fulham star Paul Peschisolido is planning on playing 45 minutes for each side. Notable former Blades players expected to take part will be former skipper Chris Morgan, Derek 'Del' Geary, Brian Deane, Tony Agana, Craig Short, Michael Brown, Carl Asaba, Alan Quinn, Rob Kozluk, Alan Wright, Jon Harley, Bruce Dyer, Leigh Bromby, Richard Cresswell, Michael Tonge, Wayne Quinn, Jack Lester and another Blades former captain in David Holdsworth, with many more former players currently checking their schedules to see if they can play in the eagerly-anticipated game. Former World Cup Final referee, Howard Webb, will take charge of the game. Blades Legends Manager and Lord of the Rings star, Sean Bean, who starred as a United player in When Saturday Comes, said: -I may even reprise my role as Jimmy Muir! -Seriously, it will be wonderful to be managing such great United Legends, and for good causes. It'll be great to be a part of what is sure to be a very special occasion. -I've supported Sheffield United for my whole life, and when I was offered the chance to don the Blades kit and manage from the Bramall Lane dugout, it was something I couldn't turn down. The game, sponsored by Redtooth and Maggie Mays Bar, will take place on Sunday 22 May at Bramall Lane, kick off at 1pm, with tickets now on sale from the Bramall Lane box office, over the telephone 0114 2537 200 (option 1) or online on http://www.sufc.talent-sport.co.uk. The match is being held in aid of the Steelphalt Blades Academy, the Blades' Former Players Association, and Hallam FM's Cash for Kids charity, alongside the Fulham Foundation charity. Tickets are priced at only £7 for adults and £3 for concessions. A limited numbers of Players' Lounge VIP tickets, with access to the Players' Lounge to meet Sean Bean and some of the players and celebrities after the game, are available at £10 for adults and £5 for under-16s and these can also be purchased from the Box Office, or by calling 0114 253 7200 (Option 1). Dave McCarthy, Operations Director at Sheffield United, said: -This game is sure to be entertaining for the whole family. -It'll be fantastic to welcome back some Blades heroes, including some from the 2005/06 season, when the Club was promoted to the Premier League, and of course Fulham's Celebrity filled All Stars team. -We're also grateful to Sean Bean for agreeing to manage the Blades team, and I'm sure it's an experience which he, the players and the fans will not forget. For more information on the game email info@sufc.co.uk or call 0114 253 7200.