Fans urged to pay respects at racing event
Pompey fans are being urged to pay their respects at a racing event in memory of former manager and World Cup hero Alan Ball.
Organisers are hoping to see thousands of football fans flock to the event, and will be monitoring which of the England legend's previous clubs gets the best turnout.
As an extra incentive for Pompey fans the last race of the day will now be called the Congratulations to Portsmouth FC Stakes.
And any Pompey fan turning up with their season ticket or club membership card to the Alan Ball Memorial Raceday at Goodwood on Wednesday, May 21, will receive a discount.
For every supporter who takes up the offer the racecourse, near Chichester, will give 2 to two charities that were close to Alan's heart – Help A Local Child and The Bobby Moore Fund – and it will guarantee a minimum donation of 750.
The midfield dynamo died aged 61 last April when he was trying to put out a bonfire in his back garden at Warsash, near Fareham.
Goodwood's marketing manager, Callum Mackay, said: 'Goodwood is thrilled to be staging the Alan Ball Memorial Raceday in honour of one of football's great heroes.
'This is a wonderful opportunity for racegoers and football lovers to support two worthy causes and remember a man who was passionate about both of these great sports.'
As a great fan of horseracing, Alan Ball caught the bug from his old friend and team-mate turned racehorse trainer Mick Channon.
And as a football manager Alan Ball was known to take his players to the races as a team-building exercise.
The day has been organised by Goodwood's managing director Rod Fabricius with Alan's stepson Jimmy Ball, along with Everton fans Charlie McCann of Stan James and Talksport's Mike Parry.
Mr Parry, who has already made a donation of 1,000, said: 'We were both absolutely devastated when Alan died.'
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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