Football: Redknapp set to manage Culliford benefit side (From Thisisdorset)

Football: Redknapp set to manage Culliford benefit side

7:00am Tuesday 25th September 2012 in Latest Sport By Ian Wadley

HARRY Redknapp is set to make a guest appearance at the benefit match for local footballer Andy Culliford, who is battling motor neurone disease.

Taffy Richardson, one of the event’s organisers, confirmed that the Cherries advisor had been lined up to manage the Andy Culliford XI against an AFC Bournemouth side at Cuthbury on Thursday (7.30pm).

Redknapp is expected to deliver a team-talk ahead of the match as he lends his backing to the charity game.

Culliford, 34, has represented numerous clubs on the non-league circuit, including Poole, Poppies, Wimborne and Bashley . A firefighter by trade, he is suffering from a form of motor neurone disease, which has no known cure.

Culliford’s colleague and former midfield partner Richardson teamed up with Brian McIntyre to arrange the benefit match in a bid to help fund treatment.

The Andy Culliford XI will be made up of players from Poole Town and Wimborne Town , with guests set to include Gosport Borough striker Justin Bennett and Bashley duo Stewart Kearn and James Stokoe.

There will be a raffle, auction, 50-50 draw, barbecue, tea room and bar facilities in Wimborne Town’s Cuthbury clubhouse.

Among the auction items is the use of Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell ’s Bentley car for a weekend – subject to insurance conditions – or a VIP trip to AFC Bournemouth.

Ex-Poole Town striker Charlie Austin, now scoring goals regularly in the Championship for Burnley, has provided a signed shirt. Arsenal, Stoke City and Cherries have also offered autographed first-team shirts.

The game has been sanctioned by the Dorset Football Association. Entry is £5 for adults and £1 for under-16s. Donations of raffle prizes are welcome. Call 01202 823731 for details.