Hollyoaks stars join forces to raise money for sports club

Ayden Callaghan – who plays Joe Roscoe in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks – is gathering as many of his cast members to play against his beloved Winslow Utd on Saturday.

The actor – who played for Winslow Utd for more than five years before he left age 20 – said: “We all work weekends so it’s been hard to pin everyone down to a date, but it’s a really good opportunity to raise the profile of the 
club.”

Also joining them are ex-pros Lee Trundle – of Soccer AM fame – and Bristol City legend Scott Murray.

Ayden and his colleagues are aiming to raise £10,000 to help towards the running of Winslow United Football Club, which has been part of the town since 1891.

Ayden, who was born in Aylesbury but moved with his family to Winslow at the age of three, said: “It comes as a surprise to people when they realise how much money it costs to run the club .”

“It keeps going thanks to the volunteers who do it because it’s their love and their hobby.

“This is my way of me doing my bit, and helpingease things this season. It’s a constant struggle for them.”

The football fan says he is also looking forward to putting on Winslow Utd’s trademark yellow strip for part of the match, just for old time’s sake.

He said: “The club means a lot to people. I’ve moved all over the place with my job and it still holds a special place in my heart.”

The match kicks off at 3pm, but the site in Elmsfield Gate, Winslow, will open at 1.30pm for families to gather in preparation. There will be food and drink available on site, and a play area for youngsters.

This is not the first time Ayden and his famous pals have visited the town, as last year he and former Emmerdale colleagues did the 
same.

The star, who now lives in Liverpool, played the part of Miles de Souza in the Yorkshire soap between 2007 and 2008 before landing the part of Joe Roscoe in May last year.

Tickets cost £6 and can be ordered in advance by visiting www.eventbrite.co.uk and searching‘Winslow United’. These should be printed out and brought along on the day. There will also be tickets available on the gate.

The players will celebrate with an after-match party at the Mirage nightclub in Aylesbury town centre, and will be available to chat to fans on the night.

Ayden said: “We’ll be there from 11pm onwards, and we’d love to see people come down for a drink.”