FAMOUS names from sport turned out to lend their support to a community football match raising money for causes close to their hearts.

Former footballers and cricketers headed to Bedale in North Yorkshire today (Sunday, March 1) for a charity match that pitted Bedale Men United against Simon Grayson’s Celebrities.

The team included cricketers Paul Grayson, Anthony McGrath and Steve Harmison MBE, footballers Dean Windass, Gary McAllister and Dominic Matteo, along with Sky football pundit and former Everton and Manchester City star player Peter Beagrie.

They joined about 1,000 Bedale supporters and other players in braving the cold, wind, rain - and even snow - to ensure the big-hearted venture went ahead.

The match was played in memory of Steve Garbett, who died of prostate cancer recently, and raised money for Prostate Cancer UK and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Grayson, a former Premier League footballer who turned out for the likes of Leeds, Leicester and Aston Villa and also managed Preston North End, said his mother, Carol, suffered from MS.

Speaking before the match, he said: “These two charities are close to my heart and for a lot of people who are playing as well.

“A close friend of ours, Steve Garbett, died last year and my mother has had MS for about 30 years. So this is a good opportunity to get a team of celebrities up against local lads from Bedale to raise some money and raise awareness of these two charities.

“A lot of the people taking part are my friends and have taken the time out to come up and support the day. We’re really grateful to them all for coming up.”

For Grayson, the match was also very much a family affair.

His 73-year-old father, Adrian Grayson, turned out, along with his 16-year-old son Joe.

Martyn Coombs, another of the Bedale organisers, said Mr Garbett’s widow, Sue, also attended with her son David, who played in the match, and her granddaughter Sophie.

Mr Coombs said: “Steve was a wonderful, happy, cheerful, fun guy. When you lose somebody who is special, it’s just a case of thinking 'what can we do for him?'”

The score was a “diplomatic” 2-2.

Striker Windass, who played for numerous clubs including Middlesbrough and Darlington, said it was a good day.

He said: “It was for a good cause and a chance to meet with the other players again and have a bit of banter with the lads. Hopefully it will raise a lot of money. It’s just a pity the weather is bad; it’s blowing a gale up here.”

The fundraising total will be announced at Bedale Town FC’s annual sportsman’s dinner at Bedale High School on Friday (March 6).