All Blacks FC charity football matches planned for 2020

They will be in action at Winsford Academy later this month, but also have matches lined up at Middlewich Town, Winsford United and Witton Albion.

All Blacks FC are the official football team for The Ronald McDonald House at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.

"We were originally set up by a chap called Alek Dargie and his partner Rachel, to raise money in honour of his son who was born with heart difficulties and spent the first six months of his life at Alder Hey Hospital while the whole time the family were housed by The Ronald McDonald House," said Mark Fowles, one of the team's players.

"We raised £3,800 in our first event, with the hope of raising more with future games/fun days to come!"

First up this year will be the team's clash with Supporting Charities FC, who have had several TV personalities and ex-professional footballers playing for them, on Sunday, January 26 on the Winsford Academy 3G pitch, kick-off 1.30pm.

The All Blacks players will be setting out to add to the £5,000 raised in total since setting up the charity team last May and having played against a number of teams from all over the country.

Fowles explained how the players all came together.

"We have all played with each other within different football teams for about 10 years," he said.

"In fact, All Blacks FC was originally a six-a-side football team who played in a league down at Sir John Deane's Sixth Form College in Northwich.

"But over the years we have always remained close friends, and we all came back for what we thought was a one-off game to raise money.

"But as we quickly learnt we can continue playing and raising funds for different charities, including helping a little lad called Daniel who needs help raising money to have an assistance dog in April!"

Admission to the game against Supporting Charities FC on January 26 will be £5 for adults and £1 for children under 14.

Drinks and a raffle will take place at Nu Flava after the final whistle.