Southport pub team crowned national champions in five-a-side football fundraiser for CLIC Sargent

 Staff from a pub in Southport showed off their footballing skills to be crowned the best J D Wetherspoon five-a-side team in the UK and Ireland. The team took the crown in an annual tournament that’s raised hundreds of thousands for CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people. 

The team from the Sir Henry Segrave pub in Southport was made up of team captain Tom Bratin and teammates Joe Connolly, Ben Taylor, Joe Martin, Tom Corbett and Ian Radford, who made their way to the final in Wembley, London, beating 513 other teams. 

The ‘Kick for CLIC Sargent’ tournament, now in its 18th year, raised £400,000 for the charity in 2019. The overall partnership between J D Wetherspoons and CLIC Sargent has raised more than £17 million since its formation in 2002.  

 The winners were decided at the final, which saw the 18 winners of regional competitions, held in September, face-off at Goals in Wembley on Sunday 13th October. 

The Sir Henry Segrave team from Southport emerged as the overall champions beating the Head Office team ‘Keyboard Warriors’ 4-2 in a final full of excitement. The winners were presented with the trophy by Richard Marriner, Regional Manager at J D Wetherspoon and Sofyan Filali, a football-mad young cancer survivor supported by CLIC Sargent, who lost his leg during treatment but still plays football today. 

Richard Marriner said: “Congratulations to the Henry Segrave Team. It’s great to see the end of another successful tournament and fundraising event. This was enjoyed by all those that took part and their supporters in the pub who helped raise over £400,000 for CLIC Sargent, an incredible amount.”  

Rachel Kirby-Rider, Director of Income and Engagement at CLIC Sargent, said: “We continue to be amazed by all the staff from JD Wetherspoon, who come together from all parts of the UK, to raise vital funds through our annual Kick for CLIC tournament.   

“No matter how successful you are in the tournament, I hope every single player knows that the tired legs are worth it because every penny raised helps us be there for children and young people with cancer.”  

Notes to editors  

For more information about CLIC Sargent, an interview or images, please contact Caroline Wolfe on 0208 752 2870 or caroline.wolfe@younglivesvscancer.org.uk. Out of hours contact 08448 481189.

About cancer in children and young people  

Today, 12 more children and young people in the UK will hear the devastating news that they have cancer. Treatment normally starts immediately, is often given many miles from home and can last for up to three years. Although survival rates are over 80%, cancer remains the single largest cause of death from disease in children and young people in the UK.  

  About CLIC Sargent  

When cancer strikes young lives CLIC Sargent helps families limit the damage cancer causes beyond their health. CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading charity for young cancer patients and their families. We provide specialist support, to help and guide each young cancer patient and their family. We will fight tirelessly for them, individually, locally and nationally. For more information, visit www.clicsargent.org.uk.   

  Note to sub editors  

Please note that the name ‘CLIC Sargent’ should not be abbreviated to CLIC, and that the word ‘CLIC’ should always appear in capitals, as above.