STARS from the world of football and entertainment turned out for a benefit match in aid of former Middlesbrough right back Gary Parkinson.

The 42-year-old, who played over 200 games for Boro in the late eighties and early nineties, has effectively been paralysed by locked-in syndrome and can now only communicate with his eyelids.

Yesterday more than 7,400 fans packed into the Riverside Stadium to see a Middlesbrough XI take on a Ramsdens XI, managed by current Boro manager Tony Mowbray, who played in the same side as Parkinson.

The match finished 4-1 to the Middlesbrough XI, which was managed by Bruce Rioch, who was in charge at Ayresome Park between 1986 and 1990.

The Middlesbrough side included the likes of Neil Maddison, Steve Vickers, Brian Deane, and Stuart Ripley. Jaime Moreno and Gary Hamilton travelled from America especially for the match.

Meanwhile the Ramsdens XI included Paul Smith, front man of indie rockers Maximo Park and Tony Blair's former spin doctor and Burnley fan Alastair Campbell.

Also in the Ramsdens team were four young Blackpool players, who turned out for the Tangerines' youth team which was managed by Parkinson.

The Northern Echo's chief football writer Paul Fraser, who had a 20-minute second half cameo up front for the Ramsdens team, said the benefit match was a worthy tribute to the Boro favourite, who now is cared for at a specialist care centre in Bury, Greater Manchester.

Mr Fraser said: "The entire West Stand was pretty much full and the atmosphere was great throughout the match.

"Gary Parkinson's 17-year-old son Luke played at right back for the Middlesbrough team and he got a standing ovation when he was substituted."

After the match, Parkinson's wife Debbie said: "I am so grateful for all the support and I am overwhelmed by how many people have turned out. It makes me proud to be Gary's wife."

Despite a stalemate after 45 minutes, second half strikes from Dean Windass and Curtis Fleming and a brace from Neil Maddison sealed the win for Middlesbrough.

The Ramsdens XI got a consolation goal through a penalty from Jack McMullen, star of BBC drama Waterloo Road.