CELEBRITY and local footballers raised more than £10,000 at a charity football match in memory of a former Solihull Moors player.
The inaugural event – held in memory of Nick Mowl who committed suicide on May 16 last year – took place at Solihull Moors Football Club on Damson Parkway on Saturday (May 12).
Birmingham City’s first team Coach James Beattie played as did Birmingham City captain Paul Robinson, former Aston Villa captain Stiylian Petrov, European Cup winning goalscorer Peter Withe, Dele Adebola.
Teams went head-to-head in a bid to be crowned the first winners of the Nick Mowl Cup.
Winners of the U10 tournament was Solihull FC, the U12’s was won by Ballerz United and the open age winners were Esabellas and Nick’s dad John Mowl was on hand to present the trophies to the winners.
One of the organisers Richard Beale said they are hoping the money they raise will go towards a text scheme at Kaleidoscope Plus Group to help those with suicidal thoughts keep safe.
The charity are hoping to use the monies raised to help employ a co-ordinator and a text service operator who will lead in the management and co-ordination of the national text service.
Mr Beale said: “We really wish to thank the army of volunteers we had helping and everybody who participated on the day as well as Mike Turl and Solihull Moors for hosting the whole event.”
During an impressive playing career Nick played for Knowle FC, Solihull Borough (now Solihull Moors), Stratford Town and Bedworth United.
He was also a coach at Solihull College, Birmingham City University, Premier Skills and for the juniors at Coventry City, before taking his in-demand skills overseas to America and latterly Australia.
Nick’s talents saw him take up a position in the ever-expanding American ‘soccer’ scene – joining the Temecula Valley hawks in California as a coach.
Following his death last years many of the youngsters Nick coached during his all-too-short career took to social media to pay tribute to him, describing him as one of the most genuine guys around and a great football coach who had a big impact on them and their football careers.
For more visit www.thenickmowlcup.co.uk or www.kaleidoscopeplus.org.uk about the charity.
