Jeff Stelling and Joe Marler join charity football match in Worthing

A charity football match in Worthing attracted over 1,000 spectators as celebrities, comedians and former footballers took to the pitch to raise money for the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity.

The event was held at Worthing Football Club’s Woodside Road ground on Saturday 22 March. It was organised by Brett Mendoza, landlord of the Caxton Arms and a Brighton and Hove Albion supporter, whose 16-month-old twins received care from the Trevor Mann Baby Unit and continue to be supported by the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital. The match featured a host of well-known names, including Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling, who managed one of the teams.

Former Brighton players Guy Butters, Gary Hart, Bas Savage and Dean Cox formed a side that faced off against the Rockinghorse Allstars, a team made up of celebrities such as comedians Joe Wilkinson, Jon Richardson, Maisie Adam, and rugby international Joe Marler.

The match is part of a wider fundraising effort by Mendoza, who has also completed the Brighton Half Marathon and is planning further initiatives, including a comedy night and a skydive in May. Rockinghorse Children’s Charity spokesperson Emma Henderson praised the event, calling it “a brilliant show of community support” and highlighting the impact it will have for children and families in need.