On this day, Lou Macari’s testimonial match took place at Old Trafford, featuring Manchester United against Celtic, Macari’s former club. The event drew a significant crowd of 40,140 spectators, including over 15,000 Celtic fans. Macari, a beloved figure for both clubs, played one half for each side, showcasing his enduring connection to both teams. The match set a record for testimonial match receipts in Britain at the time, with £85,000 collected. This event highlighted the strong bond between Macari and the fans of both Manchester United and Celtic.
13th May 1997
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Sunderland marked the end of an era with their final match at Roker Park, a stadium rich in history and memories. The farewell fixture was a friendly against Liverpool, a fitting opponent as they were also the visitors for the first match at Roker Park nearly a century earlier, on 10th September 1898. In a nostalgic twist, Sunderland triumphed 1-0 in both the inaugural and final matches at the ground. John Mullin etched his name into the club’s history by scoring the last goal at the iconic venue, closing a chapter on 99 years of footballing heritage at Roker Park.
13th May 2018
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In a unique and heartwarming event, Tommy Charlton, the third brother of the famous Charlton footballing family, made his debut for the England Over 60’s side at the age of 72. The match, held at Brighton’s Amex Stadium, was the first ever Walking Football international, with England facing Italy. England emerged victorious with a 3-1 win. Although Tommy did not score, he had two notable attempts during the game. His participation in this historic match added another chapter to the Charlton family’s illustrious footballing legacy, following in the footsteps of his brothers Bobby and Jackie.