Salford City Stadium hosts fire service charity football match (From Messenger Newspapers)

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) take on the New York Fire Department (FDNY) in a charity football match

9:00am Sunday 2nd September 2012 in News

SALFORD City Stadium was set alight as more than 4,000 people turned out to see the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) take on the New York Fire Department (FDNY) in a charity football match.

Not even the rain could dampen the spirits of the families who turned up to support the fire services and raise money for charity.

The event which took place on 19 raised more than £12,000 for charity including the Firefighters Charity and New York based Sergio Villanueva Soccer Foundation, founded after New York firefighter Sergio died trying to escape the collapse of the Twin Towers in 2001.

Mike O’Neill, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service crew manager and member of the project team, said: “It was a fantastic day and we were delighted with how many people turned up to support us despite the weather. The crowd were brilliant and helped raise a lot of money for a good cause, the event wouldn’t have been such a success if it hadn’t been for them.”

The victors of the day were the FDNY who beat GMFRS 1-0.

Before the main event, a mixed FDNY and GMFRS team took on a legends and celebrity team, including Bolton Wanders manager Owen Coyle, former Preston manager Phil Brown, Waterloo Road actor Reece Douglas and former Bury and Bolton footballer David Lee. The legends and celebrities won 3-1.

Pam Martin, Salford City Stadium general manager said: “We were delighted with the opportunity to host this event and it was great to see so many people getting involved in what was a fantastic day for both the New York and Greater Manchester Fire Services.”

Along with the football match visitors were also able to take part in a number of other family activities which continued throughout the day including demonstrations from the fire and rescue service, fun fair rides, face painting, football, cheerleading classes, American Football display and ‘taster’ sessions, Crossbar Challenge, Guide Dog displays and much more.