Sporting students present cheque to Gordon Banks

Students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) presented Gordon Banks OBE with a cheque for over £1,000 this week.

Staff and students from the College’s award-winning Academy of Sport raised money for Gordon Banks’ chosen charity – the Alzheimer’s Society – by hosting a charity football match.

The match, which took place at the Britannia Stadium in May, was a roaring success with the teams being managed by World Cup legend Gordon Banks and Stoke City FC Director of Football, John Rudge.

Trevor Humphrey’s Academy of Sport Manager, Gordon Banks OBE, Pat Bentley from the Alzheimer’s Society, Dave Sutton NULC Football Academy Co-ordinator and NULC students Emily Harvey and Liam Chadwick.

Trevor Humphreys, Academy of Sport Manager at NULC, said: “The money raised for Alzheimer’s Society shows the generosity of staff and students at NULC. The match was obviously a lot of fun for all involved, but we also achieved our aim of giving back to the community by raising a huge amount of money.”

Gordon is patron of Alzheimer's Society's North Staffordshire services. His brother suffered from Alzheimer’s and sadly passed away earlier this year.

Gordon said: “I understand how isolating Alzheimer's can be. My brother had it for 10 years and it’s really very sad, especially when you remember the person they used to be. For their partner, the person that looks after them, it's like a prison sentence. You can't get away from it. I got involved with the Society because I wanted to help and I want all football fans to do the same.”

 

Through sponsorship and collections the students raised £1340.97, which was presented to Gordon Banks and Pat Bentley from the Alzheimer’s Society on Monday 16 July, at the College’s Knutton Lane campus, by Academy of Sport students Emily Harvey and Liam Chadwick.

Goal-keeper Emily, who has recently been signed to Stoke City Ladies under 18’s team, also took the opportunity to get some tips from Gordon Banks, who was delighted to see Emily selected for the squad.

Trevor added: “This was the first time we hosted such an event, but after the success we are already planning the next match to take place next year. It’s a great way to reward students and staff at the end of the academic year and also to say thank you to Gordon Banks for all his support at the College.”

To find out more about the NULC Academy of Sport visit www.nulc.ac.uk/sport or contact Trevor Humphreys on 01782 254269 or email sport@nulc.ac.uk.