YOU have to go nine pages into a Google search to find a picture of new MP Sir Keir Starmer in which he isn’t fastened into a suit jacket or a tie, the uniform of his legal and political career.

So, mind your eyes New Journal readers, here’s the former director of public prosecutions in a slightly different get-up: racing around in a sweaty football kit. The MP for Holborn and St Pancras pulled on the red strip of Camden Labour Football Club for a match against journalists staged to raise money for our Christmas Hamper Appeal.

The CNJ's Tom Foot runs rings around the politicians (Pic: Martin Plaut]

Abdul Hai loses out to Joe Cooper

Sadly for the 53-year-old – a physical midfield general fond of a crunching tackle or two – the local politicians were largely run ragged by the New Journal team at the Castlehaven Road pitch on Friday evening, falling behind to two early goals from reporter Tom Foot. 

Foul! MP Keir Starmer and Maddy Raman team up against the CNJ's Dan Carrier

Councillors Oliver Lewis, Sally Gimson, James Yarde, Lorna Russell and Abdul Hai were among Labour players looking dazed and confused by a demonstration of skills likened by fans on the sidelines to the Brazil team of 1970.

Former Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer lunges in

Later, Cllr Hai scored a fortunate goal which took several deflections and in the second half the New Journal team took it easy, knowing that the sporting way to end a charity match is to finish in a draw.

A thunderbolt free-kick from Koos Couvée, a journalist on our sister newspaper, the Islington Tribune, was the goal of a match which somehow finished in a 4-4 draw.

PICK THAT OUT OF THE ONION BAG! Koos Couvee fires in a long-range free-kick

Vice-captain Councillor Douglas Beattie said: “It’s good to give the New Journal a run for their money – and it’s helped make some money for a good cause too.” The local party has donated £200 to the appeal.

Councillor Doug Beattie is beaten in the air by the CNJ's William McLennan

…and Labour still can't stop reporter Tom Foot

New Journal striker Tom Foot said: “The politicians may not have been very good at football, but they’ve been good sports. It’s events like this which help the collection get bigger every year. So the serious side of the fun is that we can use the money to deliver many hampers to those who might otherwise feel forgotten at Christmas.”

* Every year, we ask readers to help us with a collection aimed at sending Christmas hampers to those most in need.

They may be the elderly left alone at Christmas, or single-parent families living on the breadline. We know that a hamper full of treats will not be the answer to everybody’s problems, but over the years the success of our appeal has shown how neighbours still want to look out for one another. It has been a shining example of a community which cares.

Your generous donations have made the hamper appeal one of the most important aspects of the New Journal and this year we are determined to raise more money than ever – and to deliver more hampers than ever.

So, if you have a donation, however small, please get in touch. We are also interested in any fundraising ideas you may have: from sponsored challenges to pub quizzes and school cake sales. If you can help, we will make sure you get a big mention in the paper and we’ll report how you helped make this Christmas so special.

On top of that, keep your nominations for possible recipients coming by emailing suggestions to hamperappeal@camdennewjournal.co.uk