Yesteryear’s heroes: Gunners old boys bring back the memories…

Published: 27 June 2013
by STEVE BARNETT

A TEAM of Arsenal Legends including former skipper Tony Adams, Ian Wright and Michael Thomas made a dramatic return to the pitch on Sunday with one goal in mind: to highlight the ongoing plight of refugees around the world.

Thousands of fans packed out Underhill Stadium in Barnet to see Olympic double gold medallist Mo Farah lead out a Gunners side that also featured Ray Parlour, Gus Caeser, Paul Davis, David Hillier, Vince Bartram, Perry Groves, Stephen Hughes and Adrian Clarke.

They took on a World Refugee Internally Displaced People XI managed by former Gunner and Bolton Wanderers player Fabrice Muamba, with help from head of Arsenal in the Community, Alan Sefton.

In support of World Refugee Day the charity match, which was sponsored by The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS), attracted a 3,600-strong crowd. Azerbaijani IDP Vurghun Hasanzade slotted in from close range to give the World Refugees a half-time lead. But a slick finish from Ömer Riza ensured the game finished in a 1-1 draw.

Mr Arsenal, Tony Adams, made clear what his target was: “There are nearly 900,000 IDPs and refugees in Azerbaijan. Hopefully we can change things, bring awareness and raise vital money for the Refugee Council.”