Celebs, City legends and Jamie star in annual fundraiser

The Community Sports Foundation’s showpiece event, Jamie’s Game, returned to Carrow Road yesterday, with over 7,700 fans witnessing an afternoon of thrills, spills and heart-warming moments.

The crowd were treated to ten goals, as a team led by YouTube sensation Jim Chapman defeated Calum Best’s side 6-4. Joining a host of celebrities from the worlds of TV, film and music, were several former Canaries, including Darren Huckerby, Adam Drury and Grant Holt.

The game, now in its fourth year and run in association with former Canary Darren Eadie’s events and auction company Sellebrity, was set up to raise funds and create awareness for the work that the Foundation does in the local community.

Jamie Abbott, one of the beneficiaries from this work and the original inspiration behind the game, was welcomed as the guest of honour.

Following some rousing pre-game entertainment and in front of a party-like atmosphere in the stadium, a flurry of early goals saw the sides level at 2-2 after just fifteen minutes, with goals from Grant Holt and City’s Michael Nelson cancelling out strikes from celebrities James Hill and Dan Osborne.

In the 51st minute, an overhit cross from rapper Harvey sailed into the net and started a sequence of goals that saw celebrities Marcus Butler, Kevin Cooper, Max Morley and Dan Osborne all find the net.

With ten minutes left and his side one up, the stage was set for a trademark moment for nineteen-year-old Jamie, as he was brought on to spearhead the attack alongside Grant Holt.

Jamie, who has made no secret of his admiration for the striker, clearly relished the chance to play alongside his hero and his big moment came after Holt was bundled down in the box by Drury.

Despite some ‘protests’ from the City legend, it was of course Jamie who took the resulting penalty and he delighted the crowd with his exuberant celebrations.

The Community Sports Foundation wishes to thank main sponsors Regency Security Group Ltd and Fisher Healthcare Training Ltd.

For photo galleries, please check out our Facebook page here.

Match summary

Sunday 22nd May 2016

Jim Chapman XI 6-4 Calum Best XI

Attendance: 7,706

Jim Chapman XI
Gavin Ramjaun (GK); Michael Nelson, Dean Edwards, Tubes, Harvey, Max Morley, Marcus Butler, Grant Holt, Jim Chapman ©, Leon Bustin, John Chapman, Gary Holt, Darren Eadie, Jimmy Constable

Calum Best XI
Terry Alderton (GK); Daz Everest, Adam Drury, James Graham, Calum Best ©, Darren Huckerby, Joshua Ritchie, Jay James, Dan Osborne, Jake Wood, James Hill, Ruel Fox, James ‘Arg’ Argent, Liam ‘Gatsby’ Blackwell, Kevin Cooper, Stevi Ritchie, Dean Ashton.

Chapman XI scorers:

Grant Holt (’12), Michael Nelson (’14), Harvey (’51), Marcus Butler (’67), Max Morley (’81), Jamie Abbott (’86)

Best XI scorers:

Dan Osborne (2: ’10, ’63), James Hill (’8), Kevin Cooper (’71)

Match officials: Referee – Mr Mike George; Assistant Referees – Mr Lee Betts, Mr Ben Willgress; Fourth Official – Mr Murray Grant

Man of the match: Max Morley