Clarets Mad charity game

In June 2013, avid Burnley supporter Tony Nuttall, who had been a keen local sportsman, playing football for Accrington Stanley and Great Harwood Town, and cricket, as a bowler in the Lancashire Cricket League for both Rawtenstall and Rishton, passed away after a fight against lung cancer, aged 54.

Tony had been instrumental in organising earlier games at Padiham for Clarets Mad as part of the website’s fundraising for the Turf Moor youth department.

And the Vintage Clarets were booked after discussions with double promotion hero John Deary, who will captain the Vintage Clarets team.

Site editor Tony Scholes said: “They’ve done us proud too by naming a squad including no fewer than eight players who have been involved in promotion squads for the Clarets from 1982 to 2000.

“We wanted to make this special. Tony was a very good friend to us all and such was his enthusiasm that we even forced him out of retirement a few years ago to play in one of our Padiham games.

“I’d personally like to thank John Deary for his help in setting this up and also Alan Smith and Padiham Football Club for hosting the game.

“Admission is free on the day but there will be a collection at the entrance with all proceeds to be donated to MacMillan Cancer Support. We’ve also set up a donation page at justgiving.com/claretsmadiham which has already received some valuable donations.”

The full Vintage Clarets squad is: Richard Lee, Chris Scott, Graham Lancashire, Paul Atkinson, Andy Farrell, John Deary, David Eyres, Paul Weller, Roger Eli, Peter Mumby, George Oghani, Liam Robinson, David Hamilton, Vince Overson, Lee Cartwright and Paul Scott.

The game kicks off at 2 p.m. this Sunday, at The Arbories.