Sport

Andy Burnham set to join legendary Manc DJ and ex-England internationals in a charity football match

A brilliant cause all Greater Mancunians have proved they can and will continue to get behind.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 1st May 2025

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, is set to take on a legendary Manchester DJ as well as multiple former footballers in a charity football match, including multiple ex-England internationals.

Now eight years into representing the ten boroughs, Burnham’s latest charitable effort comes on behalf of iconic Manc venue and community cornerstone, Salford Lads and Girls Club (SLGC), which has sprouted some of the region’s most important musical and sporting talents.

Set to face the one and only Mike Sweeney – a veteran BBC broadcaster and legendary Salfordian radio DJ – as well as a number of retired pros, in hopes of raising money for SLGC, the charity game is taking place very soon.

And by soon, we mean this month. You can hear all about it from the man himself:

As explained by Sweeney, now 77, the meeting between his all-stars and Burnham’s boys is scheduled to take place on 11 May, with a 2pm kick-off.

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The Premier League’s already wrapped up, this is the real ‘Super Sunday’.

Enlisting the help of Manchester United legend, not to mention Treble and Champions League winner, Paul Scholes, there is some serious talent on show.

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Mayor Burnham, on the other hand, has managed to sign Bolton Wanderers legend, as well as former Manchester City player-manager and England international, Peter Reid, who is still raring and ready to lace up his boots at the age of 68.

Sweeney is actually an England player himself, in case you didn’t know, currently representing the over-75s national team. A man of many talents.

As for who else, the complete squads are yet to be fully confirmed, but the starting XIs will be made up of other members from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and more hand-picked by the local legend.

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The match is set to take place at AFC Monton’s New Alder Park (just off Worsley Road, M30 8JN) and, best of all, entry to the ground will be completely FREE, with those attending encouraged to donate as much as they like to Salford Lads and Girls Club on the door.

Speaking ahead of the game, Sweeney said: “Salford Lads and Girls Club is incredibly close to my heart and I can’t think of a better cause to put this game to.

“It will be a welcome change switching the battle of the studio to the football pitch where I can flex my international credentials, while raising as much money as we can for this amazing club.”

As for the Mayor, he wrote in a statement following the announcement: “SLGC is an iconic institution which has provided a lifeline to many of the most vulnerable in our communities. When we were told the club was in real jeopardy last year, we knew we had to do all we could to help.

“It was fantastic to see all the money raised in such a short space of time to save the club, but we want to go further to make sure the club is safe and invested in for the future. This is why the legacy fund is so important.”

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“We’re incredibly grateful to Andy Burnham, Mike Sweeney, and every player stepping up to take part in this special match.

The charity match set up by Mike Sweeney and Andy Burnham follows a huge surge of support for the venue late last year.

Read more:

Laura Slingsby, CEO of Salford Lads and Girls Club, signed off by adding: “We’re incredibly grateful to Andy Burnham, Mike Sweeney, and every player stepping up to take part in this special match.

“Events like this help us raise funds and shine a light on the life-changing support Salford Lads and Girls Club continues to offer young people across Salford.

“This is more than just a game. It’s a celebration of community, heritage, and hope for the future. We can’t wait to see everyone pitchside cheering them on!”

Who are you cheering on, ‘Sporting Sweeney’ or ‘Burnham FC’? Doesn’t matter either way – a beloved community cornerstone is the real winner either way.

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Featured Images — GMCA