Reform UK vs Labour football match ends 7-all, raises £1,300 for Doncaster charity
“This event is about something far more important than politics. Mental health affects people from every background and every community.”
A charity football match between Labour Party and Reform UK councillors from the City of Doncaster Council has smashed its fundraising goal.
The five-a-side game played at Goals on Worcester Avenue, Doncaster, has raised around £1,300 for the locally-based Mental Health FC – well above the £1,000 target.
Rob Dennis, the Labour councillor for town ward who organised the game, said: “The match was a thrilling 7-7 draw. Man of the Match Bob Anderson scored a hat-trick for Labour. There were a couple of injuries for Reform, so Ryan from MHFC bolstered their team. At fulltime it was agreed to end the match as a draw.”
One of the Reform UK goalscorers, Councillor Isaiah-John Smith-Reasbeck, said: “This event is about something far more important than politics. Mental health affects people from every background and every community.”
In a social media post, the Mental Health FC team wrote: “Thank you so much Rob Dennis and everyone else involved, absolutely incredible!!”
The match was a sterling example of the old football saying ‘a game of two halves’, with Labour heading into the half-time break leading 5-1.
But Reform UK roared back with the help of Cllr Nick Smith, who put in a fantastic performance in goal.
Labour led 7-5 with a matter of minutes remaining, but an own goal from cabinet member Cllr James Church and a blunder from Cllr Ken Guest in goal allowed the turquoise team to level it late.