“Football For Firies” ready to rock ‘n’ roll
Ian McLennan Park will be buzzing with football action on Saturday 18th of January as Football South Coast side Albion Park City FC will host 2019 NPL Finals Series Champions and Premiership winners Wollongong Wolves for a special ‘Football For Firies’ exhibition match filled with former Socceroo stars.
Raising money for the Salvation Army Australia’s relief efforts on the South Coast and in the Southern Highlands following the recent bushfire devastation, the $2 entry fee paid will go towards assisting this exciting initiative.
Gates will open at 3:30pm as the festival of football will feature a special Women’s All Stars City v Country match take shape at 4pm. The City team will be made up of mostly NPL NSW Women’s players from the Sutherland Shire FA NPL team while the country team will consist of Albion Park SC and Illawarra Stingrays players. The likes of female South Coast legends such as Michelle Carnye, Chloe Middleton, Tenaya Davis and Brittany Ring are just some of the names set to do battle for a great cause.
Following this game will be the big one featuring a number of former Socceroos stars including an NRL fan favourite all which boost a total of 466 international matches (452 for Socceroos and 14 for the Scottish National Team), 67 international goals and 3030 NRL games including 70 tries.
The likes of players such as Luke Wilkshire, Scott Chipperfield, Ljubo Milicevic, Brett Emerton, David Carney, Gavin Rae, Patrick Zwaanswijk, Zeljko Kalac Ashley Westwood and NRL star Robbie Farah will all be putting the boots on for the Albion Park FC side coached by Frank Farina and Phil Moss.
The local community has thrown its full support behind this massive clash with two rural fire service trucks from Dapto and Farnborough Heights brigades set to be present on Saturday as well as an additional 20 volunteer firefighters set to take part in a special pre-game ceremony.
Following the match, a special evening with a Q & A session and live auction will take shape at the Fraternity Club from 9pm with all proceeds going to the Salvation Army Australia.
