Charity match as footballers show their support for Col

Players from a former Driffield pub football team are dusting off their boots for a charity match to raise money for their ex-manager after he was given the news that he had terminal cancer.

The Rose & Crown Legends have reassembled for the Col Brooksby Charity Football Match which will take place at the home of Pickering Town FC on Sunday 26th February.

Well-known Driffield resident and sportsman Col was diagnosed with lung cancer over five years ago.
Chemotherapy treatment managed to keep the cancer dormant, however, last November, Col and his family received the devastating news that he had between six months and a year to live.

After coming to terms with the news, Col’s family decided that they wanted to make the final months of his life some of his most memorable.

The charity match against a Pickering Town XI will see Col return to the dugout to lead the Rose and Crown team, just as he did for many years in the Driffield & District Football League.

It’s hoped a bumper crowd will travel from Driffield to North Yorkshire in support of Col, whilst half the funds raised will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity that has supported the Brooksby family immensely over the last five years.

“Shortly after we processed the news of my Dad’s diagnosis, we decided we wanted to help and to raise money to give him the best months possible,” said Col’s son Wayne, current captain of Pickering Town FC.

“My dad’s wife Andrea came up with the idea to get the Rose and Crown lads back together which, with input from a few of the lads, turned into the charity match.

“It was then decided that Pickering Town wanted to help too and allow the game to be played there.

“We are honestly blown away by everyone’s kind wishes and generosity so far, we all appreciate them so much, especially my dad.

“It’s such a heart-breaking time but at the same time it’s been heart-warming to see so much support.

“We would also like to show our support to Macmillan and raise as much as we can for them too.

“They have been great with my Dad ever since he was diagnosed. Both my Dad and Andrea speak very highly of them.”

A young Wayne started a football career that has taken him to some of Yorkshire’s best non-league clubs under the stewardship of his dad with Rose & Crown.

Wayne told the Wolds Weekly he’s hoping to play 45 minutes for his dad’s team, who will be rolling back the years after being put together by Paul Kellington.

Everyone involved is hoping for a strong turn-out to raise plenty of money and ‘make Col proud’.

“I haven’t done much of the organising for the Rose and Crown Legends, Paul Kellington has taken on this role and I believe he is close to finalising the team,” said Wayne.

“To name a few players that I am aware of we have Matthew Pinder, Johnny Hood, Matthew Gray and Craig Smith.

“My Dad is dusting off his tactical boards and getting back into the game against Scarborough legend Mitch Cook, who will be the manager for Pickering Town XI.

“It was Ged Dalton who initially mentioned hosting it at Pickering and as soon as it was mentioned to the chairman, he was keen to get involved.

“I am hoping to play 45 minutes for each team. It will be good to get back under Col’s management.

“We are hoping for a good turnout on the day and the clubhouse will be open until late.

“We will be doing a raffle and tombola and a cake stall to try raise as much as we can.

“My Dad is truly thankful to everyone who has already donated and to those who will be joining us on 26th February.

“We hope to get a good crowd there and do him proud.”

The Col Brooksby Charity Football Match will kick-off at 1pm on Saturday 26th February at Mill Lane, Pickering, entry £2.

Plans are in place to organise coach travel from Driffield, with more details available soon.

Donations of raffle prizes from individuals and businesses are also welcomed.

For anyone who cannot attend the match or would like to make a donation before the day of the game, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/letsdothisforcol.