Former PNE stars take on Hollyoaks in memory of Tracy

A charity football match featuring former pro stars and soap idols kicks off tomorrow evening - as the fourth anniversary of a Lancashire cancer victim approaches.
Colin HendryColin Hendry
Colin Hendry

The family of Tracy Brown, who died on July 7, 2012, have organised the game to raise funds to help others with the disease.

Tracy, who was born and bred in Chorley - she lived on Copthurst Lane, Whittle-le-Woods and attended the town’s Parklands High School - died of breast cancer, aged 47, in St Margaret’s Hospice, Taunton.

She moved to Somerset more than 30 years ago.

The match will be between the Legends and Hollyoaks.

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Included in the Legends team are former Preston North End stars Paul McKenna, Matt Hill and Lee Cartwright.

They will be joined by ex-Blackburn Rovers and Scotland ace Colin Hendry, who will captain the side, and fellow ex-Rovers man Mark Patterson who will manage it, plus Craig Armstrong, who played for Nottingham Forest and former Morecambe man Danny Mahoney.

Also in their line up are Britain’s Got Talent winner George Sampson, who appeared in Waterloo Road and Emmerdale, Mount Pleasant and of Street Dance.

Chef Dean Edwards, TV Master Chef runner up and also a firm favourite on ITV’s Lorraine will also turn out.

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In addition, there will be Wigan Athletic chief executive Jonathan Jackson; comedian Steve Royle, of BBC Radio Lancashire; Jody Craddock, formerly of Wolverhampton Wanderers; and Scott Murray, Bristol City.

The match will feature Hollyoaks past and present, with names such as Charlie Clapham, who plays Freddie, Nick Pickard, known for his role as Tony and Parry Glasspool, who is Harry.

The referees are father and son league refs Graham and Michael Salisbury, with further entertainment from cheerleader Elsa from Frozen.

Cash raised will go towards St Catherine’s Hospice, Lostock Hall.

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Tracy’s brother, Tony Cartwright, 56, of Wheelton, said: “We are doing this as my sister died in a hospice in Taunton and it is amazing the work that they do for, not just the patients, but the family as well.

“Tracy grew up in Lancashire and we are doing this in Lancashire on the fourth anniversary to give a little back after all the support we had.”

Tony, a prolific fund raiser over the years, has organised lots of celebrity charity matches for various charities.

He said: “This has been hard work, but I’ve enjoyed it. It’s the first night game I’ve done.

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“One of the players is even flying in from Marbella and flying back the morning after.

“We’re hoping to raise as much as we possibly can.”

He added: “Tracy was very outgoing. She was a bit of a workaholic and had three or four jobs.

“She was very much full of life, really. She had cancer for five years, fought it for five years, but just got on with it.

“She was a fighter and enjoyed life - unfortunately it came to an end.”

The match is being played at AFC Darwen, Anchor Road, Friday, June 3, kick off 8pm. Tickets are £5.

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