THE community of Prudhoe is showing its support for a group of local footballers set to take on potential premier league stars of the future.

In a collaborative project to raise funds for Ferndene, a learning disability and mental health care hospital for children based inthe town, Prudhoe Town’s Wearside League side will contest the inaugural Bob Stokoe Shield against members of professional club Sunderland’s U23 team.

The game, named in honour of the Mickley-born star who famously led Division Two Sunderland to the FA Cup in 1973, has been arranged as a thank you from the Sunderland club to Ferndene for the use of its community sports facilities to train upcoming talent from Tynedale on a weekly basis.

The fixture will take place on Friday, May 19, at 6.30pm. Proceeds from the event, which will include live entertainment, will go towards improving sports equipment and facilities at Ferndene.

The project has the backing of Prudhoe Town Council and local businesses, as well as Prudhoe Town Football Club.

Alex Waters, a trustee of Prudhoe Town Football Club, said: “Ferndene is quite an amazing place and I really had no idea what goes on here. Prudhoe Town does a lot in the community, so we were quite happy to buy into this game and do something for what I think is an extremely worthwhile cause.

“Something like this is good for the town, no matter which team you support, and I hope everybody comes out to support it. In Bob Stokoe, we have a local man who became a national hero, and it’s only right we should mark that link.”

Sunderland has worked with Ferndene for the past five years, using its indoor court to train local players within its academy set-up.

Eddy Wilkinson, education activities co-ordinator at the hospital, said: “Mental health and the benefits of physical activity go hand-in-hand and this is a fantastic event to be part of.

“It’s great that the community is coming together to support our cause here, and hopefully it’ll inspire local people.”

Tickets, priced at £3 for adults and £1 for children, are available from Ferndene, Prudhoe Town Community Centre and the Spetchells Centre.

Alternatively, they can be purchased online at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bob-stokoe-shield-football-fundraiser-tickets-33890850446.