Premier League All Stars - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Premier League All Stars was a televised charity football

Football (soccer)

Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...

tournament, which was broadcast live on Sky1 on consecutive nights between 23 September and 30 September 2007. The innovative format features football teams representing all 20 Premier League clubs, each playing to win a share of the £300,000 prize money for distribution among their chosen charities. All matches were played in front of a live audience at Premier League All Star Arena which was built inside the David Beckham Academy

David Beckham Academy

The David Beckham Academy is a football school founded by England international David Beckham in 2005. , it operates in two locations: in London, United Kingdom, and in Los Angeles, California, United States, though the London location closed in early 2010 .Further Academy sites are planned at...

in Greenwich

Greenwich

Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...

, London

London

London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

Overview

The show was presented by Helen Chamberlain

Helen Chamberlain

Helen Marie Chamberlain is an English television presenter.She previously worked as a holiday camp entertainer and Disc Jockey before working on a variety of radio and television programmes...

and Ian Wright

Ian Wright

Ian Edward Wright, MBE is a retired English footballer turned television and radio personality.Wright enjoyed success with London clubs Crystal Palace and Arsenal, spending six years with the former and seven years with the latter. With Arsenal he has lifted the Premier League title and both major...

, with pitchside reporting by former Liverpool

Liverpool F.C.

Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...

and Australia forward Craig Johnston

Craig Johnston

Craig Johnston is a former football player who was one of the first Australians to make a major impact in the English game. He is remembered for his time spent with Liverpool throughout the 1980s...

. Suzi Perry

Suzi Perry

Suzi Perry is an English television presenter, best known for covering MotoGP for the BBC for 13 years and The Gadget Show.-Early life:...

also presented in Helen Chamberlain's absence. An accompanying show, Premier League All Stars Extra Time, aired straight after the show on Sky3, hosted by Jason Manford

Jason Manford

Jason John Manford is an English comedian, television presenter and actor.- Early life :Manford was born to an Irish family in Salford, Greater Manchester, a son of Sharon , who is a Catholic and Ian Manford. He grew up in poverty in a terraced house in Manchester...

.

Each 10-man squad consisted of 4 professional players (legends), 3 celebrity supporters and 3 ordinary fans picked from a large number of applicants.

The competition was won by underdogs Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough F.C.

Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...

with celebrity Alistair Griffin

Alistair Griffin

Alistair Richard Griffin is an English singer/songwriter and musician. Already an established songwriter, he first became famous as a solo artist through his appearances on the BBC television show Fame Academy 2 in 2003, where he was "spotted" and championed by Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees...

scoring the winning goal in the last minute. The team was presented with the All Stars 2007 trophy together with £100,000 prize money for their two nominated charities, the Butterwick Children's’ Hospice

Hospice

Hospice is a type of care and a philosophy of care which focuses on the palliation of a terminally ill patient's symptoms.In the United States and Canada:*Gentiva Health Services, national provider of hospice and home health services...

and Teesside Hospice.

Runners up West Ham United won £30,000 for the Bobby Moore Fund and Richard House Hospice.

Arsenal

Goalkeeper - Vince Bartram

Vince Bartram

Vincent Lee Bartram is an English former professional footballer, who played as a goalkeeper. He is now goalkeeping coach at Southampton F.C.-Career:...

Legend - Nigel Winterburn

Nigel Winterburn

Nigel Winterburn is a retired English footballer who played at left-back for Arsenal. He is best known for his role alongside Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Lee Dixon, forming a celebrated defensive line in the Premier League and European football during the 1990s.-Early career:Winterburn was born...

, Paul Davis

Paul Davis (footballer)

Paul Vincent Davis is an English former footballer.Born in Dulwich, London, Davis signed for Arsenal as an apprentice in 1977 and turned professional the following year...

, Ray Parlour

Ray Parlour

Raymond "Ray" Parlour , is a retired English footballer. He spent his career playing for Arsenal, Middlesbrough and Hull City. During his Arsenal career he was nicknamed "The Romford Pelé"; although the nickname was given with an ironic sense of humour, on account of his solid performance but...

Celebrities - Ziggy Lichman

Ziggy Lichman

Zachary Sami P Lichman, commonly known as Ziggy and also Zac or Zach, is a former member of the boy band Northern Line and music producer from North London...

, Mark Ramprakash

Mark Ramprakash

Mark Ravin Ramprakash is an English cricketer, playing for Surrey and England. A right-handed batsman, he initially made his name playing for Middlesex, and was selected for England aged 21...

, Leeroy Thornhill

Leeroy Thornhill

Leeroy Thornhill is a British electronic music artist and formerly a rave dancer and live keyboardist of the British rave act The Prodigy. He has produced solo work under the names Longman and Flightcrank. He was born in Barking but raised in Rayne near Braintree in Essex, and grew up as a...

Fans - Tommy McNally (Banker), Vernon Angel (Social Worker), Stelios Ekkeshis (Captain and PE Teacher)

(Charity - Arsenal Charitable Trust For Treehouse)

Aston Villa

Goalkeeper - Dale Belford

Dale Belford

Dale Belford is a professional footballer, currently player coach at Tamworth.-Aston Villa and Sutton Coldfield Town:...

Legends - Dean Saunders

Dean Saunders

Dean Nicholas Saunders is a former Wales international footballer who played as a striker in a professional career which lasted from 1982 until 2001. He is the manager of Doncaster Rovers....

, David Platt (Captain), Ian Taylor

Ian Taylor (footballer)

Ian Kenneth Taylor is an English former footballer, best known for his time at Aston Villa. A midfielder, he had a fifteen year career in the Football League and Premier League, making 478 league appearances....

Celebrities - Gareth Gates

Gareth Gates

Gareth Paul Gates , is an English singer-songwriter. He was the runner-up in the first series of the ITV talent show Pop Idol. Gates has sold over 3.5 million records in the UK alone. He is also known for having a stutter, and has talked about his speech impediment publicly...

, Lord Taylor of Warwick, Rick Parfitt Jr

Fans - Mark Quinn (IT Consultant), Ian Wilkinson (Postman), Paul Quinn (Computer Science student and son of other fan Mark Quinn)

(Charity - Acorns Children's Hospice

Acorns Children's Hospice

Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust is a registered charity, offering a network of care and support to life-limited and life-threatened children and their families across the heart of England. Acorns has three hospices, situated in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester as well as a Community Team that...

)

Birmingham City

Goalkeeper - Kevin Miller

Kevin Miller (footballer)

Kevin Miller is an English football goalkeeper, currently playing for Bodmin Town FC in the South West Peninsula League....

Legends - Paul Devlin

Paul Devlin (footballer)

Paul John Devlin is a former Scotland international professional footballer who made more than 500 appearances in the Football League and Premier League.-Stafford Rangers:...

(only played in group game), Steve Claridge

Steve Claridge

Stephen Edward Claridge is an English football player, pundit and coach. He is currently a pundit for BBC Sport football shows including Football Focus and the The Football League Show, whilst also playing as a striker for semi-professional team Gosport Borough.Claridge's career is known for its...

(Captain), Martin Grainger

Martin Grainger

Martin Grainger is a former English football player, he was a defender who ended his playing career with Birmingham City in December 2004...

, Dennis Bailey (only played in quarter-final)

Celebrities - Dennis Seaton

Dennis Seaton

Dennis Michael Seaton is a British singer, songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist. He is the lead singer of the Grammy-nominated band, Musical Youth.-Biography:...

, Robert McCracken

Robert McCracken

Robert McCracken is a former British middleweight boxer and world title challenger from Birmingham, England. Robert worked as a wood machinist at Hoskins Cabinet Works, Bordesley, Birmingham before turning to boxing.He was affectionately known as "boxing Bob". McCracken turned pro in 1991 in the...

, Nigel Clark

Nigel Clark

Nigel Clark emerged on the British music scene as the lead singer and bassist of the pop band, Dodgy...

Fans - Stuart Kane (Warehouse Logistics Manager), Caius Kane (Tool Maufacturer), Perry Hemmings (Trainee Welder)

(Charity - Promise Dreams and Book Trust)

Blackburn Rovers

Goalkeeper - Alan Fettis

Legends - Simon Garner

Simon Garner

Simon Garner is an English former professional footballer. He is the record goal scorer for the English club Blackburn Rovers....

(captain), Matt Jansen

Matt Jansen

Matthew Brooke "Matt" Jansen is an English footballer, who plays as a striker and currently plays for Chorley. He started his career with hometown club Carlisle United, and also played for Crystal Palace, Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers as well as a loan spell with Coventry City. He won six...

, Craig Short

Craig Short

Craig Jonathan Short is a former football player who played as a central-defender...

Celebrities - Neil Arthur, Wayne Hemingway

Wayne Hemingway

Wayne Andrew Hemingway, MBE is an English fashion designer and co-founder of Red or Dead. He is also chairman of the South Coast Design Forum, and chair of Building For Life .Hemingway is the son of Canadian Mohawk chief and former wrestler Billy Two Rivers...

, Steven Pinder

Steven Pinder

Steven Pinder is an actor.-Early life:Pinder was born on March 30, 1960, and comes from a small family with just one younger sister, Catherine, who is 11 years younger and works in agriculture. He grew up on Downham Avenue in Great Harwood...

Fans - Jack Hemingway (Son of celebrity Wayne and Graphic Designer), Anthony Watson (Engineering Production Manager), David Butterworth (Sports Co-ordinator)

Bolton Wanderers

Goalkeeper - Carl Blundell (fan)

Legends - Frank Worthington

Frank Worthington

Frank Stewart Worthington is a former English footballer. Frank was born into a footballing family in Shelf near Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire. Both of his parents had played the game and his two older brothers, Dave and Bob, became professional footballers, both began their careers with...

(Captain), Andy Walker, Michael Johansen

Michael Johansen

Michael Bro Johansen is a Danish former professional football player, who most notably played as a midfielder for English club Bolton Wanderers. He played two games for the Danish national team in 2000 and 2002, and was an unused substitute at the 1992 Summer Olympics...

Celebrities - Sheephead, Ian Aspinall

Ian Aspinall

Ian Aspinall is a British actor who is well known for his role on Holby City where he played Mubbs Hussein from 2001 to 2005. He has been in City Central, The Bill, Silent Witness, Peak Practice, and Casualty. He also had a role in East is East playing eldest son Nazir Khan...

, Sajid Mahmood

Sajid Mahmood

Sajid "Saj" Iqbal Mahmood is an English cricketer of Pakistani descent...

, Tony Knowles

Tony Knowles (snooker player)

Anthony Knowles is an English professional snooker player. He was a three times semi-finalist in the World Professional Snooker Championship in the 1980s.-Career:...

Fans - Nathan Cooper, Alan Mitchell, Alex Harvie

Chelsea

Goalkeeper - Peter Bonetti

Peter Bonetti

Peter Phillip Bonetti is a former football goalkeeper for Chelsea, the St. Louis Stars, Dundee United and England. Bonetti was known for his safe handling, lightning reflexes and his graceful style, for which he was given the nickname, "The Cat"...

Legends - Ruud Gullit

Ruud Gullit

OON is a Dutch football manager and former football player, who played professionally in the 1980s and 1990s. He was the captain of the Netherlands national team that was victorious at Euro 88 and was also a member of the squad for the 1990 World Cup. He was named the European Footballer of the...

(only played in group game), Roberto Di Matteo

Roberto Di Matteo

Roberto Di Matteo is a Swiss-born Italian former professional footballer and the current assistant manager of Chelsea. As a midfielder, he enjoyed spells at Schaffhausen, Zürich Aarau, Lazio, and Chelsea. He was capped by Italy 34 times, scoring two goals for the Italian national team, and played...

, Kerry Dixon

Kerry Dixon

Kerry Michael Dixon is a retired English professional footballer who played most notably for Chelsea and England.-Early years:...

, Gustavo Poyet

Gustavo Poyet

Gustavo Augusto Gus Poyet Domínguez is a former Uruguay international footballer and current manager of English side Brighton & Hove Albion.During his playing career, Poyet featured for teams including Real Zaragoza, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur....

(only played in quarter-final)

Celebrities - Ross Kemp

Ross Kemp

Ross James Kemp is a BAFTA award-winning British actor, author and journalist, who rose to prominence in the role of Grant Mitchell in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders...

, Omid Djalili

Omid Djalili

Omid Djalili is a British Iranian stand-up comedian, actor, television producer and writer.-Personal life:Djalili was born in Chelsea, London to Iranian Bahá'í parents and is a Bahá'í himself...

, Judan Ali (football coach/ex Arsenal professional footballer)

(Charities - Clic Sargent & Right To Play)

Derby County

Goalkeeper - Steve Cherry

Steve Cherry

Steven Richard Cherry is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Cherry started his career with Derby County, at County he joined Port Vale on loan in November 1980...

Legends - Dean Sturridge

Dean Sturridge

Dean Constantine Sturridge is an English former footballer who played as a striker.-Derby County:Sturridge began his career as a trainee at Derby County, and worked his way through the ranks to make his first team debut on 11 January 1992 in a 1-0 defeat at Southend United.He gained more first...

, Darryl Powell

Darryl Powell

Darryl Anthony Powell is an English-born former professional footballer who made more than 350 appearances in the Football League and Premier League and played international football for the Jamaican national team...

, Darren Wassall

Darren Wassall

Darren Wassall is a retired English football defender.Wassall began his career in 1984 at Nottingham Forest, where he was a product of the youth system. He failed to win a regular first team place, although he was a reliable stand-in to the likes of Des Walker, and was loaned out to Hereford...

(Captain)

Celebrities - Dominic Cork

Dominic Cork

Dominic Gerald Cork is a former English cricketer. Cork is a right-handed lower-order batsman who bowls right-arm fast-medium, and is renowned for his swing and seam control. Making his début in first-class cricket for Derbyshire in 1990, he was selected to play for England in 1992, aged 21. He...

, Des Coleman

Des Coleman

Desune "Des" Coleman is a British actor and presenter. He has appeared in numerous stage musicals, but is best known for playing the role of Lenny Wallace in BBC's EastEnders...

, Jamie Baulch

Jamie Baulch

James Steven Baulch , but raised by foster parents in Risca, near Newport, is a British sprint athlete and television presenter. He won the 400 metres gold medal at the 1999 World Indoor Championships. As a member of British 4 x 400 metres relay teams, he won a gold medal at the 1997 World...

Fans - Andy Wheeler (Financial Advisor), Chad Potter (Media Advertising Agent), Andy Mason (Recruitment Sales Consultant)

(Charity - Access To High Quality Activities For All)

Everton

Goalkeeper - Neville Southall

Neville Southall

Neville Southall MBE is a former Wales international footballer, best known for his time with Everton. He has been described as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation and won the FWA Footballer of the Year award in 1985...

Legends - Dave Watson

Dave Watson

David "Dave" Watson is an English former professional footballer who made 12 appearances for the English national team. He is now the youth team coach at Newcastle United.-Playing career:...

, Adrian Heath

Adrian Heath

Adrian Paul Heath is an English football manager and former player. He manages American USL Pro Orlando franchise. As a player he is remembered as part of the Everton side of the 1980s, where he won several trophies...

Celebrities - Donny Tourette

Donny Tourette

Donny Tourette is an English singer-songwriter best known for his work with the pop rock band Towers of London...

, Simon O'Brien

Simon O'Brien

Simon O'Brien is a British television actor and radio presenter as well as a property developer.He came to prominence as the character Damon Grant in Brookside, a role he played from the soap's launch in 1982 until 1987, when his character was killed off in York at the end of the 'soap bubble'...

, Lee Latchford Evans, Graham Rooney

Fans - Peter McPartland, David Lyon, Vinny Hughes

Fulham

Goalkeeper - Dave Beasant

Dave Beasant

David John "Dave" Beasant, is a retired English football goalkeeper who began his career in the late 1970s. A well-travelled player, Beasant's former clubs include Wimbledon, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Portsmouth, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion and Wigan...

Legends - Wayne Collins

Wayne Collins (footballer)

Wayne Collins is an English football midfielder.-References:*...

, Rufus Brevett

Rufus Brevett

Rupis Emanuel Brevett is an English former professional football player who played as a defender. He has retired from professional football, last playing for Oxford United.-Football career:...

, Bjarne Goldbaek

Celebrities - Example

Example (rapper)

Elliot John Gleave , better known by his stage name Example, is an English singer and rapper signed to Data Records. His name arose due to his initials being E.G., which is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase "exempli gratia", which means, "for example".Example's third album Playing In The Shadows...

, Andy Scott-Lee

Andy Scott-Lee

Andy Scott-Lee is a Welsh pop star, who is an ex-member of the group 3SL. After the group broke up, he appeared in the second series of Pop Idol, making it to the final seven. Scott-Lee is now a member of the group G*Mania. Scott-Lee's estranged wife is the former Liberty X member, Michelle Heaton...

, Jim Jeffries

Jim Jeffries (comedian)

Geoffery James Nugent, aka Jim Jeffries is an Australian stand-up comedian .-Early life:...

Fans - Kevin Taylor (Double Glazing Company Owner), Adam Di Mambro (Captain and Shoe Designer)

(Charity - Community Disability Programme)

Liverpool

Goalkeeper - Shity

Legends - Phil Neal

Phil Neal

Philip George "Phil" Neal is a former footballer who was, at one time, the most successful player in English football history. He played for Liverpool 650 times over an eleven year period and is the only player to have appeared in the first five of their European Cup finals, winning four of them...

(Captain), Jason McAteer

Jason McAteer

Jason Wynne McAteer is a retired Irish footballer, who represented the Republic of Ireland at international level. He announced his retirement from professional football on 12 June 2007,...

, Ray Houghton

Ray Houghton

Raymond James "Ray" Houghton is a retired Scottish-born footballer who represented the Republic of Ireland at international level, qualifying through his Irish father...

Celebrities - Colin Murray

Colin Murray

Colin Murray is a Northern Irish sports and music radio and television presenter. He is the current host of the BBC Television show Match of the Day 2 on BBC Two, and the BBC Radio 5 Live shows 5 Live Sport and Fighting Talk, as well as a show on BBC Radio Ulster. He has previously hosted regular...

, Euan Blair

Tony Blair

Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...

, Dave Gorman

Dave Gorman

David James Gorman is an English author, stand-up comedian and presenter. He has performed comedy shows on stage in which he tells stories of extreme adventures and presents the evidence to the audience in order to prove to them that they are true stories...

Fans - Nick Haycraft (Motor Sales Advisor), Graeme Inman (Football Coach), Paul Smith (Property Development Manager)

(Charity - Anthony Walker Foundation)

Manchester City

Goalkeeper - Andy Dibble

Andy Dibble

Andrew Gerald "Andy" Dibble is a Welsh former professional football player who played as a goalkeeper.A journeyman who played for many different teams, Dibble won three caps for the Wales national football team....

Legends - Rodney Marsh

Rodney Marsh (footballer)

Rodney William Marsh is an English retired footballer. He was named after HMS Rodney by his father, who served on the battleship. He played for Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Manchester City, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and the England national team. Lately, he has been a pundit and a commentator on the...

, Nicky Summerbee

Nicky Summerbee

Nicky Summerbee is an English former professional footballer.Born in Manchester, he had trials at Manchester United, Leicester City, and Norwich City, before joining Swindon Town; where his father, former England international Mike Summerbee, had connections...

, Fitzroy Simpson

Fitzroy Simpson

Fitzroy Simpson is a former professional English-born Jamaican footballer. He was a midfielder, but also played frequently as a left back....

, Keith Curle

Keith Curle

Keith Curle is an English former professional football player, who is currently first team coach at Queens Park Rangers.As a player, he was capped three times by England at senior level.-Playing career:...

Celebrities - Ant Genn

Antony Genn

Antony Genn is a British musician formerly in Pulp. He also toured with Elastica in 1995-1996, playing keyboards. He is known for co-writing with Joe Strummer and forming The Mescaleros in 1999. Antony co-wrote and produced The Mescaleros first album Rock Art and the X-Ray Style...

, Nigel Bond

Nigel Bond

-External links:*...

, Jason Manford

Jason Manford

, Nick Leeson

Nick Leeson

Nicholas "Nick" Leeson is a former derivatives broker whose fraudulent, unauthorized speculative trading caused the collapse of Barings Bank, the United Kingdom's oldest investment bank, for which he was sent to prison...

Fans - Tom Beddard (College Tutor), Rory McDowell (Window Fitter), Lee Jones (Roofer)

(Charity - Disability Football Club)

Manchester United

Goalkeeper - Fraser Digby

Fraser Digby

Fraser Charles Digby is a retired goalkeeper who spent much of his career with Swindon Town, for whom he played in the Premier League...

Legends - Lee Sharpe

Lee Sharpe

Lee Stuart Sharpe is an English former footballer. Predominantly a left winger, Sharpe joined Manchester United from Torquay United as a youngster in 1988, playing for the club up until 1996...

, Ray Wilkins

Ray Wilkins

Raymond Colin Wilkins MBE , often known as "Butch" Wilkins, is an English former footballer and at present a television pundit...

(Captain, only played in group game), Clayton Blackmore

Clayton Blackmore

Clayton Graham Blackmore is a former Welsh international footballer. He was a combative player known for his attacking free kicks and a utility player who excelled at full back and in central defence but could play equally well in midfield or as an emergency forward.-Career:Blackmore once had...

, Arthur Albiston

Arthur Albiston

Arthur Richard Albiston is a Scottish former football player.-Career:Albiston joined Manchester United as an apprentice in July 1972, turning professional in July 1974. He made his debut in a League Cup Third Round match against local rivals Manchester City in 1974. He made 485 appearances in 14...

(Quarter-final onwards)

Celebrities - Angus Deayton

Angus Deayton

Gordon Angus Deayton is an English actor, writer, musician, comedian and broadcaster. He is best known for his role as Victor Meldrew's long-suffering neighbour Patrick Trench in the comedy series One Foot in the Grave...

, Mark Chapman, Darren Campbell

Darren Campbell

Darren Andrew Campbell MBE is a former English sprint athlete. He competed in the 100 metres and 200 metres, as well as the 4 × 100 metres relay...

(Captain in quarter-final)

Fans - Matt Fisher (Housing Officer), Dave Rimmer (Police Officer), Phil Ringer (Fishing Bait Manufacturer)

(Charity - Social Education In Secondary Schools)

Middlesbrough

Goalkeeper - Jim Platt

Jim Platt

James Archibald 'Jim' Platt is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Northern Ireland.-Playing career:...

(Captain)

Legends - Mikkel Beck

Mikkel Beck

Mikkel Venge Beck is a Danish former football player, who played for a number of clubs, most famously for Middlesbrough FC and Fortuna Koln...

, Craig Hignett

Craig Hignett

Craig Hignett, , is an English former professional footballer who now works as an agent and a commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live...

, Bernie Slaven

Bernie Slaven

Bernard Joseph "Bernie" Slaven is a Scottish-born former Republic of Ireland international footballer. A striker, with 162 goals in 423 league games, in a 12 year career, he also earned seven caps for the Republic of Ireland....

Celebrities - Alistair Griffin

Alistair Griffin

, Mark Stobbart, Gary Havelock

Gary Havelock

Robert Gary Havelock is a speedway rider who currently captains the Redcar Bears in the British Premier League...

Fans - Julian McGuire (IT Consultant), Tony Rovardi (Ice Cream Cone Manufacturer), Steven Aithwaite (Sports and Science Lecturer)

(Charities - Butterwick Children's Hospice & Teesside Hospice)

Newcastle United

Goalkeeper - Kevin Carr

Kevin Carr

Kevin Carr is an English former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Born in Morpeth, Carr began his career as an apprentice at Burnley. In total, Carr made over 200 appearances in the Football League for Newcastle United, Carlisle United, Darlington and Hartlepool United, before...

Legends - Rob Lee

Rob Lee

Robert Martin "Rob" Lee is a retired English footballer who played the majority of his career for Charlton Athletic and Newcastle United.-Charlton Athletic:...

, Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer OBE, DL is a retired English footballer. He played as a striker in the top level of English league football for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and for the England national team...

, Warren Barton

Warren Barton

Warren Dean Barton is a former English football player and a TV Pundit for Fox Soccer Channel.-Club career:...

, John Beresford

John Beresford (footballer)

John Beresford is a former English football player who played as a defender, who is currently a pundit for ITV Tyne Tees and ESPN.-Football career:...

Celebrities - Anthony Hutton, Simon Donald

Simon Donald

Simon Donald is a co-founder and was co-editor of the British comic magazine Viz until 2003.He set up the magazine in 1979 with his brother Chris from a bedroom in Newcastle. His most famous creation for the magazine is probably Sid the Sexist....

, Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards (athlete)

Jonathan David Edwards, CBE, is a former British triple jumper. He is a former Olympic, Commonwealth, European and World champion, and has held the world record in the event since 1995....

Fans - Doug Grant (Stearing Systems Production Planner), Rob Hedley (Captain and Occupation Health Manager), Dean Russo (Flying Fitter

(Charity - St Oswald's Hospice)

Portsmouth

Goalkeeper - George White

Legends - Paul Walsh

Paul Walsh

Paul Anthony Walsh is a retired English footballer.Walsh was a diminutive and pacy centre forward who shot to fame in the 1980s during spells with Charlton, Luton, Liverpool and Tottenham.-Charlton Athletic:...

, Guy Whittingham

Guy Whittingham

Guy Whittingham is a retired professional footballer with over 450 appearances for a number of English clubs, after leaving the British Army. He is currently serving as joint caretaker manager of Portsmouth together with Stuart Gray...

(Captain), Andy Awford

Andy Awford

Andy Awford is a former football player and currently Academy manager at PortsmouthAwford began his career at his home-town club Worcester, where he became the youngest player ever to appear in the FA Cup, aged just 15 years 88 days, when he came on as substitute in a tie at Boreham...

Celebrities - John Portsmouth Football Club Westwood

John Portsmouth Football Club Westwood

John Anthony Portsmouth Football Club Westwood is one of the most recognisable football supporters in England.He has 60 Portsmouth tattoos, the club crest shaved onto his head and 'PFC' engraved on his teeth. He can be clearly heard ringing his bell, to represent the "Pompey Chimes", almost...

, Marcus Patrick

Marcus Patrick

Marcus Patrick is a British actor who has been based in the United States for several years.-Acting career:...

, Adger Brown

Fans - Alan Knight , Dan Shaw (NDT Inspector), Josh Norton

(Charity - Making Dreams Come True)

Reading

Goalkeeper - Scott Howie

Scott Howie

Scott Howie is a Scottish former professional football goalkeeper. Having played professionally in the English and Scottish football leagues, he currently plays for English non-league side Wroxham....

Legends - Michael Gilkes, Mick Gooding

Mick Gooding

Michael Charles Gooding is a former professional footballer and football manager.In the twilight of a successful playing career, Gooding was appointed joint player-manager of Reading with Jimmy Quinn when manager Mark McGhee acrimoniously left to take the reins at Leicester City...

, Barry Hunter

Celebrities - Mark Rumble, Michael Sprott

Michael Sprott

Michael Sprott is a professional heavyweight boxer from Reading, Berkshire, England. Sprott briefly held the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, and was a European heavyweight title contender...

, James Fox

James Fox (singer)

James Fox, real name . is a pop music singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist. He represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Istanbul...

Fans - Mark Croydon (Betting Shop Manager), Darren Webb (Audio Sales Manager), Ben Fisher (Captain and Transport Administrator)

(Charity - Reading Respect Project)

Sunderland

Goalkeeper - Ian Hesford

Legends - Marco Gabbiadini

Marco Gabbiadini

Marco Gabbiadini is an English former footballer whose career lasted 18 years from 1985 to 2003. He totalled nearly £3 million in transfer fees and played for 12 different clubs, scoring a total of 226 league goals.-York City:...

(Captain for group game), Steve Watson

Steve Watson

Steven Craig "Steve" Watson is a former English footballer, who retired after being released by Sheffield Wednesday on 15 May 2009. As of November 13, 2010, he is the Development Coach at Football League One side Huddersfield Town.-Playing career:Watson began his career with Newcastle United,...

, Don Goodman

Don Goodman

Don Goodman is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker.-Career:Born in Leeds, Goodman played for Bradford City, West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Barnsley, Motherwell, Walsall, Exeter City, Doncaster Rovers and Stafford...

(only played in group game), John Byrne (Quarter-final onwards)

Celebrities - Liam McGough, Joe Simpson (group game and quarter-final only), John Nayagam

John Nayagam

John Nayagam is known for his part in ITV's Emmerdale as vet Hari Prasad. He has also made an appearance in Doctors. He has played Dorian Roberts on Holby City.-External links:*...

, Rocky Marshall

Rocky Marshall

Rocky Marshall is a British television and film actor, living near Battersea park.-Biography:He has starred in mainstream movies such as Mr Right, Hart's War, Re-Kill and Mean Machine...

(only played in semi-final)

Fans - Paul Hewitson (Captain for quarter-final and Youth Worker), Mick Hall (Captain for semi-final Air Bag Manufacturer), Craig Hubbard (Fitness Instructor)

(Charity - Family Learning Project)

Tottenham Hotspur

Goalkeeper - Espen Baardsen

Espen Baardsen

Espen Baardsen is a former footballer. He played as a goalkeeper. Born in the United States to Norwegian parents, he was selected for the USA under-18 national team before switching his international eligibility to Norway because of his dual nationality.-Club career:In 1995 Baardsen was spotted by...

Legends - Nayim

Nayim

Mohammed Ali Amar , commonly known as Nayim, is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a central midfielder....

, David Howells

David Howells

David Howells is a former English professional footballer, born in Guildford, Surrey, who played in the Football League as a midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, with whom he spent the majority of his career, Southampton and Bristol City....

(Captain), Micky Hazard

Micky Hazard

Micky Hazard, sometimes spelled Mickey, is a football Central Midfielder, currently playing for Dunton Green in the Sevenoaks and District Football League.-Childhood:...

Celebrities - Phil Cornwell

Phil Cornwell

Phil Cornwell is an English comedian, actor, impressionist and writer. He is probably best known as being part of the Dead Ringers television and radio series...

, John Altman, John Pickard

John Pickard

John Pickard may refer to:* John Pickard , Canadian businessman and politician* John Pickard , British composer of classical music* John Pickard , British actor...

Fans - Tony Sutton (Car Supermarket Manager), Lee Barr (Fish Salesman), James Duckworth (Ceramic Tiler)

(Aiming for 50,000 sporting opportunities)

West Ham United

Goalkeeper - Allen McKnight

Allen McKnight

Allen Darrell McKnight is a Northern Irish former international footballer who played professionally in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, and Hong Kong as a goalkeeper.-Club career:...

Legends - Tony Cottee

Tony Cottee

Anthony Richard "Tony" Cottee is a former football player who now works as a television football commentator...

(Captain), Frank McAvennie

Frank McAvennie

Francis "Frank" McAvennie is a former Scottish football striker best known as a player with West Ham United and Celtic, having had two spells with both of these clubs.-Early life:...

(Missed quarter-final), John Moncur

John Moncur

John Moncur is an English former footballer. He played in midfield for Tottenham Hotspur, Swindon Town and West Ham United...

, Kevin Keen

Kevin Keen

Kevin Keen is a football coach, manager and former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Wycombe Wanderers, West Ham United, Wolves, Stoke City and Macclesfield Town...

(Only played in quarter-final)

Celebrities - Danny Dyer

Danny Dyer

Danny Dyer is an English actor, media personality, and chairman of Greenwich Borough, a non-League football team.-Biography:Daniel John Dyer was born in Custom House, an area of East London, to Antony and Christine Dyer...

(group game and quarter-final only), Tamer Hassan

Tamer Hassan

Tamer Hassan is a British actor of Turkish Cypriot descent.-Early life:Hassan was born in London, England into a Turkish Cypriot family. Having sustained an injury in boxing, Hassan started to run nightclubs and restaurants and is now the owner, chairman and player/coach of Greenwich Borough and...

(Suspended for semi-final), Geoff Bell

Geoff Bell (actor)

Geoff Bell is an English actor.-Career:He has appeared in many films, mostly as a cameo appearance or as a supporting role.He has appeared in Girl with a Pearl Earring, Stardust, The Long Firm, Making Waves, The Business and RocknRolla.One of his most well-known films is Green Street, where he...

, Roland Manookian

Roland Manookian

Roland Manookian is an English actor of Armenian descent, who is most notable for his role as Zebedee, in the 2004 film The Football Factory, and as Craig Rolfe in Rise of the Footsoldier in 2007. He has also appeared in Guy Richie's Rocknrolla and Nick Love's Goodbye Charlie Bright and The Business...

(Semi-final onwards)

Fans - Julian Hilaire (Civil Servant), Matthew Crook (Publishing Account Manager), Chris Whitelock (Sports Management Student)

(Charities - Bobby Moore Fund & Richard House Hospice)

Wigan Athletic

Goalkeeper - Simon Farnworth

Simon Farnworth

Simon Farnworth is a former English footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played for Bolton Wanderers, Bury, Preston North End and Wigan Athletic, and made over 500 appearances during his career....

Legends - David Lowe

David Lowe (footballer)

David Anthony Lowe is an English former footballer. He made almost 600 appearances in the Football League in a career spanning seventeen years.-Playing career:...

, Stuart Barlow

Stuart Barlow

Stuart Barlow is a retired English football forward. He is best remembered for scoring the winning goal in an FA Cup fifth round replay win against Premiership Southampton in the 2000-01 season...

, Colin Greenall

Colin Greenall

Colin Greenall is an English former professional footballer who made over 600 Football League appearances between 1980 and 1999...

Celebrities - Martin Offiah

Martin Offiah

Martin Offiah MBE is an English former rugby league and rugby union footballer.He is known as "Chariots" Offiah after the film Chariots of Fire...

(Captain), Jez Edwards, Paul Tonkinson

Paul Tonkinson

Paul Tonkinson is an English radio presenter and television personality. He is perhaps best known for his work presenting on The Big Breakfast and The Sunday Show and his appearances on list programmes where he comments on popular culture...

Fans - Paul Knowles (Recruitment Consultant), Dean Gore (Telesales operator), Darren Cole (hands on group Car Wash Franchise Manager)

(Charity - Derian House Children's Hospice)

Competition Format

The games are played indoors in a custom-built futuristic arena and are based on standard FA seven-a-side rules, but with a handful of innovations. The key rules: Matches are ten minutes each way (fifteen each way in the final). Play starts with 'The Drop', where the ball is dropped from a chute in the ceiling 10m above the centre spot. The last minute of each half is deemed a 'PowerPlay', any goals scored during that time count double. Players guilty of persistent foul play are shown a blue rather than yellow card and spend two minutes in 'The Cooler' (a sin bin).

The competition is a knock-out format. However, due to the number of teams involved (20), two of the winning ten teams in the first round are also eliminated as 'Worst Winners' so that only eight teams remain to contest the quarter finals and beyond. This means that it is not enough simply to win the first round game - to avoid elimination, teams also have to win well, which is designed to encourage attacking play and scoring more goals.

The Games

The matches are refereed by Dermot Gallagher

Dermot Gallagher

Dermot J. Gallagher is a retired English-based association football referee, who lives in Banbury, Oxfordshire. He refereed in the Premier League of English football until May 2007.-Career:...

. Other officials included Steve Dunn as time-keeper, with Peter Cruise and Peter Gill as bench officials. Commentary is provided by Andy Burton

Andy Burton (TV presenter)

Andy Burton is a sports presenter and commentator, currently best known as a touchline reporter for Sky Sports. He has worked for Capital Radio and Bravo. He hit the headlines after punching presenter Richard Bacon in the face in 2007. He was the main commentator on Bravo's Football Challenge...

and Steve Claridge

Steve Claridge

, though Rodney Marsh

Rodney Marsh (footballer)

and Tony Cottee

Tony Cottee

Anthony Richard "Tony" Cottee is a former football player who now works as a television football commentator...

have been co-commentators when Claridge played for the Birmingham team.

Day 1 (23/9/07)

Group 1: Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...

3 Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers F.C.

Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....

1

Group 1: Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...

3 Everton

Everton F.C.

Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...

Day 2 (24/9/07)

Group 1: West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...

4 Reading

Reading F.C.

Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...

0

Group 1: Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...

5 Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur F.C.

Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....

Day 3 (25/9/07)

Group 1: Liverpool

Liverpool F.C.

3 Derby County

Derby County F.C.

Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...

3 (No penalties were played as a draw was not enough and so both teams were eliminated)

Group 2: Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...

5 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers F.C.

Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....

Day 4 (26/9/07)

Group 2: Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...

6 Aston Villa

Aston Villa F.C.

Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...

3

Group 2: Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...

3 Newcastle United

Newcastle United F.C.

Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...

3 (Middlesbrough won 4-3 on penalties)

Day 5 (27/9/07)

Group 2: Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...

3 Portsmouth

Portsmouth F.C.

Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...

1

Group 2: Arsenal

Arsenal F.C.

Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...

1 Fulham

Fulham F.C.

Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...

1 (No penalties were played as a draw eliminated both teams)

Manchester United, Manchester City, West Ham United and Wigan Athletic progressed as the best four winners from group 1.

Chelsea, Sunderland, Middlesbrough And Birmingham City progressed as the best four winners from group 2.

Day 6 (28/9/07)

Quarter Final: Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...

0 Manchester City

Manchester City F.C.

Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...

0 (Manchester United won 4-3 on penalties)

Quarter Final: West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...

5 Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic F.C.

Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...

Day 7 (29/9/07)

Quarter Final: Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...

2 Birmingham City

Birmingham City F.C.

Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...

0

Quarter Final: Chelsea

Chelsea F.C.

Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...

0 Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...

2

Day 8 (30/9/07)

Semi Final: Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...

2 Sunderland

Sunderland A.F.C.

Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...

0

Semi Final: Manchester United

Manchester United F.C.

Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...

2 West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...

3

Premier League All Stars Final: Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...

3 West Ham United

West Ham United F.C.

West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...

External links

Premier All Stars highlights at Sky.com
Charities net £50,000 each after All Stars win gazettelive.co.uk, 22 November 2007

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.