Sportsman's Dinner - Special Report

What a Night!!!!!!!

£40,000 Raised

The stars glittered at the Watford Hilton Hotel on Monday night when the Famous Arsenal back four of Tony Adams, Lee Dixon, Steve Bould and Nigel Winterburn gave their support to St Albans City Youth Football Club, helping to raise money for the clubs Base project.

Lee Dixon, Tony Adams, Steve Bould, Nigel Winterburn

With the help of Football Commentator John Motson, Golf Commentator Alex Hay, man of many voices Mike Osman and comedians Ian Stone and Keith Dover the 400 guests dug deep in their pockets to raise £40,000 for City Youths Base 2000 project. The Sportsman's Dinner,  the first in a number of City Youth fund raising events scheduled for this year, launched City Youth on the fundraising road with a bang.

Left to Right - Mervyn Morgan, Robert Murphy, Jeff Lawrence

The project, in partnership with The Highfield Trust is to develop the playing fields in Highfield Park to provide 3 junior/senior size pitches and upto 6 small sided pitches plus a pavilion with changing facilities.  Before we can use the facilities we must carry out some major work on the playing fields in the form of drainage and, of course, build the pavilion.  The work will be completed in phases, first the drainage of the site and then the pavilion and car parking.

The Famous Back Four plus One

The fundraiser was also supported by a number of top professional clubs who donated items for auction.  The Football Association donated Gareth Southgate's England World Cup shirt signed by all the England 2002 World Cup Squad, an England shirt signed by Sven Goran Eriksson. In addition Arsenal, Tottenham, Watford, West Brom, Bolton, West Ham, Chelsea and Manchester United all donated signed shirts or signed footballs. 

£40,000 --- Wow

The evening was the brainchild of long time City Youth supporters Robert Murphy and Brian Luckhurst. City Youth Chairman Mervyn Morgan said, "If it was not for the magnificent efforts of Bob and Brian, tonight's event would not have been possible,,,,,, the club thanks them both,,,  the amount raised tonight far exceeded our wildest dreams".

We would also like to everyone who attended and helped to make the event a fantastic success.  Also, thanks to the Football Association for allowing the FA Challenge cup to be displayed and thanks to Arsenal Football Club for showing the FA Premier League trophy and the  Community Shield. 

Thanks must also go to Virtual Showcase for all the photography on the night and Gavin Biddle who filmed and produced a promotional video about City Youth which had its first showing on the night. Thanks also to the BBC for the Arsenal Back Four Tribute Video.