DUFC

FOOTBALL AID

8th May 2002

Thanks to the national charity Football Aid, nearly 1,600 football fans from as far away as the California and Australia will have followed this year in their heroes' footsteps and played in once-in-a-lifetime matches at fifty top clubs all over the country.

The fans have been bidding furiously on the Football Aid website www.footballaid.com for the chance to pull on the jersey and play on their field of dreams at their favourite club.
Their passion for their teams has so far helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for diabetes research and causes supported by the individual clubs and the football authorities.

Now in its second year, Football Aid is officially endorsed by the FA, the Premiership and the Nationwide League in England, and the SFA, Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League in Scotland. Football Aid is a unique charity project, which offers supporters all over the country the opportunity to follow in their idols' footsteps and play on the turf graced by their favourite team.

Fifty of the top clubs in England and Scotland have given over their facilities for the day to Football Aid, which has internationally respected manager Bobby Robson as its patron.

Football Aid founder Craig Paterson said: "We've had a tremendous response from supporters and bidding has been especially fierce. Fans are very passionate about their club and they have come forward in large numbers to help raise funds for charity. We are especially delighted that a number of people bidding this year also took part in last year's event."

Tannadice hosted its second football Aid event on 28th April 2002 - raising