Friends, family, Lancashire and England Cricketers plus Bolton Wanderers legends turned out in their hundreds for two cricket matches to remember Andrew ‘Pud’ Leigh.
Around 200 people plus packed into Horwich RMI Cricket Club for the event in honour of Pud, who died in January, aged 49, after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Friends and family have been raising money for The Christie in his memory ever since and are now supporting The Brain Tumour Charity.
The event featured two matches, one between Horwich Casuals and Heaton Casuals and a ‘Puds XI’ Class of ’82 v a BWFC Legends team then the final between the two winners.
Mark and David were asked to come out of the cricketing wilderness to join old school friends to play in Pud’s XI, who made it to the final playing Heaton and despite fielding an ex-England player were defeated by Pud’s XI
Among the former Whites who joined in were Jussi Jaaskelainen, Gavin McCann, Tony Kelly, John McGinlay, Nicky Spooner, David Lee and John Thomas.
Also joining the event was special guest, ex-England cricketer Ronnie Irani and ex-Lancashire all-rounder Mike Watkinson
Before the matches started, two benches were unveiled in Pud’s honour and beer called Pud’s Pint was also being served for visitors to enjoy, which they did, as it all sold out.
Andrew’s daughter, Olivia, said: “He would be looking down smiling at everyone today plus the weather has turned out well for us. He would be happy to see everyone having a good time. He would want us to remember the good times. He was always positive.”
The event had plenty for everyone to enjoy with a barbecue, a bar, DJ, a bouncy castle and a chance for children to get their face painted.
Mark and David were delighted to support the event, to play in the matches and support a dear friend and a great cause.
Events like this mean that Andrews’s legacy and charitable endeavours carry on.
Please click on the link below to see the Bolton News take on events.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/15484549.200__friends__family_and_Wanderers…