Everton fan favourite Tim Cahill and World Cup winner Rivaldo will captain the teams in the Game4Hope at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Tim Cahill and Rivaldo
Tim Cahill and Rivaldo
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Everton fan favourite Tim Cahill is being joined by Brazil World Cup winner Rivaldo as the captains for the Game4Hope at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday September 26 (4.45pm kick-off).
An all-star Merseyside XI made up of former Everton and Liverpool players takes on a Rest of the World XI as football unites for the Soccer Aid-style charity showdown on the banks of the Mersey.
Cahill spent eight memorable years at Goodison Park, making more than 270 appearances and scoring 68 goals for the Blues. His passion, commitment, big-game goals and trademark corner-flag celebration made him a firm favourite with Evertonians.
Now supporters will have the opportunity to welcome him back as he leads out Team Merseyside at Everton’s spectacular waterfront home.
Blues giant Peter Reid and Liverpool great John Barnes join forces as joint managers of the Merseyside XI, including Leighton Baines, Gareth Barry, Phil Jagielka, Ayegbeni Yakubu, Robbie Fowler, David James, Ryan Babel, Jari Litmanen, John Aldridge, Joleon Lescott and Louis Saha. Joining them to pull on the home purple shirt - a nod to both sides of the city - will be celebrity fans Tony Bellew, John Bishop, Big Zuu, Molly McCann, Still Ryan and James Nelson-Joyce.
Waiting on the opposite side will be some of the greatest players of their generation, led by Rivaldo, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, lifted the Ballon d'Or, was named FIFA World Player of the Year and starred for Barcelona, AC Milan and some of the biggest clubs in world football.
The international roll of honour includes Brazilian legend Cafu, Dutch icon Clarence Seedorf, along with fellow countrymen Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Jaap Stam, former fellow Moroccan legend Mustapha Hadji and Nottingham Forest and England star Des Walker, with Ted Lasso actors Toheeb Jimoh and Moe Hashim, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro from Gladiators, Johnny Nelson and Jack Fowler. Tinie Tempah will also be playing and performing as part of the half time show.
With seven-time Women’s Premier League winner Rachel Yankey and Chelcee Grimes also confirmed - and Toni Duggan and Natasha Dowie playing for Merseyside - #Game4Hope will see a number of famous women players and celebrities represented at the extravaganza, which promises an afternoon of football icons, celebrity guests, live music and entertainment in support of Shelter and Everton in the Community.
The event comes amid a renewed national focus on homelessness following Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s pledge to eradicate rough sleeping, with #Game4Hope giving football supporters across the region the opportunity to come together and play their part in addressing one of the country’s most urgent social challenges.
The Budweiser Plaza will see a festival of food, music and entertainment to keep the whole family entertained before and after the game.
The action on the pitch will form part of a much bigger day of entertainment at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with live musical performances and special entertainment throughout the event, including Circa Waves and a half-time performance from Tinie Tempah, creating a festival atmosphere for supporters of all ages.
Behind the football and entertainment is a local and national cause that urgently needs attention. More than 1,600 children in Liverpool are currently experiencing homelessness, growing up in temporary accommodation without the stability and security every child should have.
On a single night nearly 5,000 people were recorded sleeping rough in the UK, representing a record high since tracking began and a 3% increase from last year's figures.
#Game4Hope will harness the power of football to raise both funds and awareness, supporting individuals and families in Liverpool City Region and across the country who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
Tim Cahill and Rivaldo have been named as the captains for Game4Hope
Tim Cahill and Rivaldo have been named as the captains for Game4Hope
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Proceeds from the event will support the work of Everton in the Community and Shelter, bringing together the local expertise of Everton’s official charity with one of the country’s leading housing and homelessness organisations.
Everton in the Community believes preventing homelessness starts long before someone loses their home. Alongside its Home Is Where the Heart Is programme, which provides young people with practical support and pathways towards stable accommodation, the charity delivers a wide range of services that help tackle many of the underlying causes of homelessness.
From mental health and wellbeing support, addiction recovery and physical health programmes to employability services, youth intervention and support for people rebuilding their lives following family breakdown, the charity works alongside thousands of people each year to help them build brighter, more secure futures.
Lester Holcombe, CEO of Legends Soccer Group said: “To bring players of the calibre of Rivaldo, Cafu and Clarence Seedorf to Liverpool is incredibly exciting. These are genuine football icons who have inspired generations of supporters around the world, and now fans will get the chance to see them up close at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
“But #Game4Hope is about much more than the 90 minutes on the pitch. We’ve created a full family entertainment experience with live music, food, interactive football activities and plenty to enjoy before the match even kicks off. Whether you're eight or eighty, there's something for everyone.
“Most importantly, every ticket purchased helps support the incredible work being carried out by Shelter and Everton in the Community, making this a fantastic day out that will leave a lasting impact across Merseyside.
“With world football legends, live entertainment, family activities and a cause that unites the city, #Game4Hope promises to be one of Liverpool’s standout sporting events of the year.”