UPDATE – POSTPONED DUE TO WATERLOGGED PITCH, INFO ON RE-ARRANGEMENT SOON
On Sunday 29th September, a Sheffield United legends squad, including manager Chris Wilder, will make the short trip up the road to play a Stocksbridge Park Steels Veterans team in a game that will acknowledge the outstanding contribution to local football made by Steels outgoing chairman and founder Allen Bethel, whilst also raise funds for the Blades nominated charities.
At the end of last season Allen, known locally as Mr Stocksbridge, retired from all duties at Steels. Bethel’s legacy is quite extraordinary, and he goes down as a pioneer of non-league football in our area, turning Steels, a club he formed back in 1986 following a merger with Oxley Park, into one of the most progressive and well-run non-league clubs in South Yorkshire.
Bethel oversaw the development of the superb training pitches, situated to the side of Steels’ excellent Look Local Stadium, renowned as one of the best playing surfaces in the area. A number of Steels players have also moved into professional football, the most famous being England International Jamie Vardy.
As well as Chris Wilder, the Blades squad could include the likes of Paddy Kenny, Ian Bennett, Leigh Bromby, Chris Morgan, Derek Geary, David Holdsworth, Richard Cresswell, Darius Henderson, Ian Bryson, Glyn Hodges, Andy Campbell, Rob Kozluk, Michael Brown, Carl Bradshaw, Carl Asaba, Rob Hulse, Michael Tonge and Danny Webber. Appearances of these former Blades stars will of course depend on their availability on the day.
Key information about the fixture
Date: Sunday 29th September
Kick-off: 2pm
Admission: £7 adults, £3 concession and children (pay on the day)
Venue: Look Local Stadium, Bracken Moor Lane, Stocksbridge S36 2AN.
Car parking: £2 (subject to weather)