Joe Calzaghe was on the winning side on Thursday evening at the Madejski Stadium in Reading when he joined many other stars from the world of sport, music and entertainment plus members of our armed forces for a special one-off football match in support of Help for Heroes.
The Heroes Cup pitted Alan Curbishley’s England side against a Rest of the World side managed by Lawrie Sanchez and was broadcast on ITV4 plus across the globe to all British troops currently in action.
The crowd were treated to Army Sergeant Major Darren Bryce delivering the matchball by zip wire before showing their appreciation as servicemen marched onto the pitch just prior to the players’ arrivals. Both teams and the crowd then served an impeccable minute’s silence, remembering those who the charity has been set up to help.
"I am a big supporter of Help for Heroes and what they are doing for all of the wounded troops," said Joe Calzaghe. "This is such a worthwhile cause, especially at a very important time of Remembrance Week as we honour the fallen. I am very much looking forward to doing further work with Help for Heroes in the future to help the sterling work and care they provide to our brave service people wounded in conflicts around the world."
The two sides boasted some of the biggest names around during a unique night, with football greats including Paul Gascoigne and Lothar Matthaus joining Joe Calzaghe in entertaining the crowd on the pitch.
It was the Rest of the World side that proved much the stronger with Matthaus, Ian Dowie and Gus Poyet all scoring early on. Guy Whittingham fired home with two minutes remaining in the first half and gave England some hope before Iwan Thomas added number four for the Rest of the World side from close range in the second half to seal a 4-1 win.
Joe Calzaghe will be announcing further plans for a unique gala dinner in support of Help For Heroes later this month.