Emmerdale star joins players for charity football match in memory of Elle Edwards

The Emmerdale actor, who plays Jacob Gallagher in the Dales drama, has agreed to play for the North West Community Stars Football Club in the game hosted by Marine AFC in July.

Soap star Joe-Warren Plant is set to join players in a charity football match in memory of Elle Edwards.

It is hoped the game will raise more than £15,000 for the Elle Edwards Foundation, set up by Elle’s dad Tim to raise awareness of gun crime, and support families affected by it, after her tragic shooting on Christmas Eve 2022.

Dan Ferguson, founder member of the Community Stars Football Club, says he and the team are ‘honoured’ to be the opponents in the special match against ‘Elle’s Army’.

“When I first contacted Tim regarding a potential match, I wasn’t sure what the response would be. But Tim was delighted, and so we’re looking forward to what’s going to be a very special day in memory of Elle.

“We are hoping for a sell out crowd with around 400 of the 1,000 tickets already reserved, and we reckon when they’re released for sale on February 9, they will all be gone in a couple of days.”

As well as Joe-Warren Plant confirmed for the Community Stars’ line up, ex-professional players who have agreed to play for the team managed by former Aston Villa defender Shaun Teale include former Everton midfielder Stuart Barlow, and Liverpool-born ex-Blackpool defender Danny Coid.

Ronnie Moss, Lennie Reid and Dave Woodruff, part of the management team, will also be playing, along with goalie – and the Stars’ youngest squad member – Liam Sergent.

Others, including those playing for Elle’s Army have yet to be named, although Dan says there’s no shortage of players all keen to give their time for free for such a good cause.

He adds: “We’re hoping we’ll raise between £10-£15,000 for the foundation after ticket sales and sponsors. The company who does the match programmes has already agreed to donate £1,000 which means the sale of all those will go towards the money we raise, and then of course there’ll be raffles.

“With luck we could raise even more than £15,000.”

After many years of organising charity football matches, Dan set up the Community Stars Football Club last year, after a request by police, with the idea of getting young kids involved.

“The idea is that, as well as raising money for good causes, we can get kids involved who might otherwise stray from the right path, and we can help keep them on it through sport,” explains Dan. “We also get in touch with kids across the north west who, say, might be being bullied, and get them along to give them a day to remember.

“The buzz they get, and the look on their faces when they come along, is amazing.”

Although it’s not been going long, the Community Stars Football Club which travels throughout the north west has already raised thousands of pounds, including £3,000 for Liverpool Homeless and more than £2,000 for Willowbrook Hospice, and it has donated food to Blackpool Food Bank and presented young kids who join them for matches with brand-new trainers.

Dan goes on: “I have been involved with charity football matches for years.  If anyone needs help we will do it, because the feeling you get from it is one of the best in the world.

“The match in aid of the Elle Edwards Foundation will take place on Sunday, July 7 at 2pm, and every penny we raise will go to that.”

Elle Edwards, 26, an innocent bystander, was shot and fatally wounded outside the Lighthouse Pub in Wallasey on December 24, 2022.

Connor Chapman was convicted of her murder and jailed for life to serve a minimum of 48 years.

The Elle Edwards Foundation was set up by her dad, Tim, to raise awareness of gun and knife crime. The Foundation says: “We believe that no family should have to suffer the loss of a loved one due to any kind of violence. 

“Through our fundraising efforts, we aim to provide financial assistance to these families and to help them navigate the difficult process of healing and recovery whilst still keeping Elle’s memory alive.”

Dan adds: “Tim says that because of Elle, so many lives will be saved in future and that is a great legacy.

“Elle Edwards’ name will never be forgotten and we will do everything possible for Tim and his family and we hope that Elle’s Army will grow and grow.”

For more details and ticket prices when they’re revealed go to the Elle Edwards Memorial Trophy Facebook page here. For the latest news in Liverpool click here.