FORMER SWINDON Town players dusted off their boots for a special football match yesterday in aid of little Charlie Allen.

The five-year-old, from Stratton, was diagnosed with white blood cell cancer in June 4, and is set to face numerous courses of painful chemotherapy treatment for the next three-and-a-half years.

His friends and family have launched an appeal to help his mum Kelly Brown cover the added costs that the disease has brought with it, such as a wheelchair and specialised car seat and the cost of travel to and from the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Yesterday at Swindon Supermarine saw the latest in a series of fundraisers, this time dreamed up by 32-year-old Phil McDonagh, whose daughter attends the same school as Charlie.

“It went really well, I had hoped for a bit of a bigger turnout but I think we managed to raise around £2,000,” he said.

“We need to do the proper count up yet but it’s in that region. Around 120 people came along, which is good, but it would have been nicer if there were a few more.”

Phil secured some of the town’s most well-known sporting names for the match, including Paul Bodin, Tom Jones, Paul Hunt, Lee Hendrie, and Jerel and Phil Ifil, even bringing in former jockey and MBE, John Francombe.

Team Weswood won the 5-4 match against Charlie Allen FC, which was captained by Phil.

“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,” he said.

“I got beat unfortunately but it was so good that all the ex-pros were able to come along, even though they had to sub off a few times.

“We’re hoping to make it a yearly thing so next year we’ll do it again for a different cause.”

As well as the match itself, Wes Foderingham attended to do signings, and there was an auction of signed memorabilia, while the main sponsor of the match, Swindon Metal Recycling, also donated money to the cause on the day. Swindon boxers Kelvin Young, and Jack Baverstock were also attended.

Phil said: “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’s not in bad shape.”

Steve Moore, the president of Swindon Supermarine, said:“When a young lad like Charlie needs help it is important that football clubs are always available to help their community.”