LOMANA Tresor Lua Lua will be among a host of Colchester United legends reunited this weekend for the annual Hope for Grace charity football match.
Lua Lua, who lit up Layer Road before joining Newcastle United in 2000, is set to feature as a team packed full of former U’s favourites take on the Hope for Grace XI at Stanway Rovers FC, on Sunday.
They will be raising money for eight-year-old Grace Beverton, who has an incredibly rare genetic condition that prevents her from walking and talking.
Sam Kuffour praised for 'energy, athleticism and passion'
Led by former Colchester skipper Karl Duguid, the legends side is also set to include the likes of 2005-06 promotion winners Kem Izzet, Greg Halford, Jamie Cureton, John White and Mark Cousins.
Fellow ex-U’s players Kevin McLeod, Scott McGleish and Richard McKinney are also set to take part, accompanied by the likes of former Chelsea striker Mark Nicholls and ex-Arsenal and Ipswich Town forward, Jay Emmanuel Thomas.
Duguid, who won two promotions and made nearly 500 league and cup appearances for Colchester during his two spells at the club, said: “Each year, the attendance has got bigger and bigger, which is great.
“That’s exactly what we want and it’s become a bigger thing for the community, if you like.
“Each year, the weather’s been kind to us as well and hopefully it is again, on Sunday.
“It’s a Bank Holiday weekend and hopefully that will draw a few more people in, too.”
The game is taking place to raise money to pay for the expensive treatment required by Grace, who has an ultra-rare genetic mutation epilepsy.
Ian Holloway punished by FA for conduct during U's win over Swindon
“The one person the day is all about is Grace and that’s why we all do it,” continued Duguid.
“We all look forward to it – each year, we’ve raised more than the year before and that’s the aim again.
“We don’t just turn up for no reason; we turn up because we want to help as much as we possibly can and raise as much money as we possibly can, to help the little girl.
“I’ve got closer and closer to Dale [Beverton, Grace’s dad] over the years.
“We speak all the time and he does all the hard work – all I do is get the lads together but they want to do it.
MORE STORIES:
Stanway Rovers on verge of back-to-back promotions
It's an interesting time in the world of Colchester United
'I love it here': Matt Macey set for Colchester contract conversations
“I’ve got a group chat with all the lads in it and every year I say ‘it’s that time again!’ and they all come back.
“It’s an easier job for me but it gets harder because we’re getting older, obviously!
“But it’s the same group of boys who want to be part of it, which is really nice.
“Dale does a lot of different things and lots of organising, which is probably why he gets more stressed than I do!”
There will be fun for all the family, including free football sessions for youngsters, live music, cheerleaders, face painting and inflatable games, with barbecue food, ice creams, cakes and cookies all available on the day.
The Hope for Grace charity match takes place at Stanway Rovers FC this Sunday – gates open at 12pm, with kick-off 1.30pm.
Entry fee is £5 for adults and £2 for under-16s, with free admission for children under the age of three.
For more information, search Hope for Grace on Facebook.
To donate, click here
Share