A team of ex-Premier League football legends put on a match on their home turf in Brentwood to raise £3,000 for a Cerebral Palsy charity.

The community turned out at the Brentwood FC ground on September 29 to see a Beer Lanyard side with a star-studded line-up of famous faces and ex-professionals including Rickie Lambert, Aaron McLean and Lee Trundle.

Former football boss Ian Holloway took the helm as manager to lend his support to the cause.

They faced off against the Wandering Crows in a 3-3 draw.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better day,” Beer Lanyard’s founder Jack Whiting said. “Having Ian Holloway manage the side was a dream and the lads really gave it their all.

“But the real highlight was raising £3,000 for Cerebral Palsy. It’s moments like this that remind us what this is all about — community, football and making a difference.”

The money raised is for Cerebral Palsy Plus, a charity based in Bristol dedicated to help children and adults and their families by creating opportunities for personal development and growth.

Cerebral palsy is a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement and co-ordination. It is caused by a problem with the brain that develops before, during or soon after birth.

Michael Ryan, director of Ink Digital marketing agency which sponsored the match, said: “Events like this show the power of ‘community’ and the impact we can have when we come together for a cause and help raise vital funds.”

Lanyard FC is a charity team of ‘football legends’ launched in 2019 by Beer Lanyard festival accessory start-up company and is committed to “making a difference on and off the pitch”.

It raises public awareness of good causes while providing fans with the chance to interact with their football heroes.