Fans group ‘Totally Tranmere’ have organised a charity football match to raise money for their #Grow4Joe campaign, following the cancer diagnosis of Rovers player Joe Thompson in November.
On Saturday 10th May Cammell Laird Football Club will play host to a Totally Tranmere XI versus 7Waves FC.
Paul Harper, the presenter of the Total Tranmere podcast who has helped arrange the charity event, told JMU Journalism: “This year we are hosting our third annual charity football match in support of #Grow4Joe and Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. We are Tranmere supporters and the news of Joe Thompson’s illness came as a big shock.
Earlier this year, the Tranmere winger was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma and the campaign has had huge support from fans and players across the country after his illness was announced.
Joe, himself, along with a number of Tranmere team-mates, started #Grow4Joe where players, staff and supporters are growing their hair or facial hair to raise money for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.
Past charity games have been a great success, with almost £5,000 raised.
Mr Harper said: “We are wishing him a speedy and full recovery but we also wanted to help raise awareness as well as funds for a charity associated with his illness.
“We spoke to Joe and said we would like to get on board and fundraise for the cause through our charity event and he was happy for us to do so.”
The match will be followed by a function in the Cammell Laird social club where there will be a live singer, a comedian, and an auction of sporting memorabilia.
A number of former Tranmere players are lined up to play in the charity match, including Kenny Irons and Simon Haworth.