Poppy shirts raise £5,800
Dec 4 2009 by Paul Suart, Birmingham Mail
LOYAL Bluenoses showed their support for charity as well as Blues when they bid for signed shirts worn by their heroes.
Seventeen limited edition Blues shirts, each embroidered with a poppy, were auctioned by the club to raise cash for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.
The 17 highest bidders gathered at Blues’ Wast Hills training ground yesterday to be presented their prized shirt by the player who had worn it during the home Premier League match with Manchester City.
Among them was Roger Fairclough, a season ticket holder from Selly Park, who bid for goalkeeper Colin Doyle’s top.
“I paid £220 and it was worth every penny,” the 42-year-old pharmaceuticals worker said.
“My father was in the Second World War so I know the money is going to a really worthy cause.
“I wanted Colin’s shirt because of the penalty save he made against Wolves two years ago when we won 3-2. He’s been a hero of mine and my boys’ ever since.”
Stuart Ellis, a 45-year-old accountant from Worcester, has been a Blues fan all his life and spent hundreds to secure defender Scott Dann’s shirt: “I used to be a defender so I always look out for the defence. We had a chat so I asked him about the game last Sunday and wished him all the best.”
Thirteen-year-old Macauley Fumagalli travelled all the way from County Roscommon in Ireland to meet his hero Gary McSheffrey.
“He’s definitely one of my favourite players,” he said. “I get to as many games as I can.”
The auction raised more than £5,800 for the Royal British Legion and a further £1,500 was generated from a bucket collection at the Manchester City match.
Frank Manning, vice-chairman of RBL Birmingham county, said: “It’s wonderful to see this kind of help for our soldiers.
“It’s also very important for the club to show support like they have.”
