FORMER Town players will strap on their boots again next Sunday for a special charity football match, which will help five-year-old Charlie Allen.

Charlie was diagnosed with leukaemia in June and has been told he faces an arduous three-year battle with the disease.

After failing to respond to a first round of chemotherapy, Charlie has now been through two sessions and has returned home as he travels in and out of John Radcliffe hospital.

Family and friends have rallied around the lad from Stratton, and the latest in a series of fundraisers, at Swindon Supermarine, has been dreamed up by 32-year-old Phil McDonagh.

“We did a charity football match for a friend of mine who died years ago, and we thought we would get involved with helping Charlie,” said Phil.

“When it is closer to home it hits you a little bit more.

“Originally it was going to be an 11-a-side between friends, but when I got in contact with Supermarine they bent over backwards to help us.

“I was speaking to people at Aston Villa trying to get an All Star 11 but that never materialised. I got a few members of Supermarine involved and just got plugging away at it.

“All of a sudden it came together.”

Phil will captain one team and has secured players including Paul Bodin, Tom Jones, Paul Hunt, Lee Hendrie, and Jerel and Phil Ifil, even bringing in former jockey and MBE, John Francombe.

“Jez Webb got in contact with Wes Foderingham, who is going to come up on the day and do some signings,” added Phil.

“We have also got some of Swindon’s local boxers, including Kelvin Young, and Jack Baverstock will be compering.

“I’m going to split the professionals, with half on each team, and will do roll-on, roll-off subs, so everyone gets playing time.

“We have got Swindon Metal Recycling as the sponsor and they will be donating money themselves on the day.

“There will be an auction of lots of signed memorabilia. Half the money raised will be going to the children’s ward to buy toys for Christmas, and we have approached Toys R Us to see if they can help in any way.

“Kelly (Brown, Charlie’s mum) said she appreciated the effort but wanted some of the money to go to the other children in Swindon.

“Charlie is back home and he is not in bad shape.

“They have got a three-year battle ahead of them.

“I just want to thank Super-marine for letting this happen and everyone who has been working behind the scenes.”

Steve Moore, the president of Swindon Supermarine, said: “At Supermarine we are always happy to help in any way we can.

“It is such a great cause and makes you think, when you talk about playing football mostly, these are the important things.

“When a young lad like Charlie needs help it is important that football clubs are always available to help their community. We have always prided ourselves on being a family club.”

Tickets for the match will be sold on the gate at £5 for adults and £2 for children. Doors open at noon.