Signed shirts belonging to some of the world’s greatest ever football players are up for grabs in a once in a lifetime raffle for military charity Afghan Heroes.
The raffle which is being organised by Coventry-based Club and Country Legends means soccer fans are just one ticket away from winning a unique signed shirt featuring players who were selected as the Professional Football Association’s Player’s Player of the Year from the past 30 years.
One half of the shirt features the player’s club colours at the time of their award, with the corresponding half in the colour of their country.
Shirts that are up for grabs include Cristiano Ronaldo, Kevin Keegan, Dennis Bergkamp, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Ian Rush and David Ginola and more.
There is even a shirt signed by arguably the greatest ever football player, Pele, who was presented with his unique New York Cosmos shirt that was made to celebrate the PFA’s centenary in 2007.
Valued at an estimated £10,000 each, the framed and signed shirts have been donated to the charity which was set up by mothers who had each lost their sons in the Afghanistan conflict.
The shirts were made as part of a collection spanning from the inaugural PFA awards in 1974 to the PFA’s centenary celebrations in 2007.
Only four shirts were ever made – one of which was presented to the player and one retained for the PFA’s hall of fame. One was sold at a charity auction in aid of the PFA’s other charitable causes.
The remaining shirt is now up for grabs for football fans who want to own their own piece of football history.
Founder Denise Harris, who has already had a special viewing of the unique collection, said she was bowled over by the generosity of Club and Country Legends as well as the support from the PFA.
She said: “You don’t have to be a football fan to know these are truly fantastic prizes which will take pride of place on the lucky winner’s wall. Entrants don’t even have to take pot luck – they can nominate the player they are interested in.
“We are delighted Afghan Heroes will benefit from this once in a lifetime opportunity and confident the raffle will not only raise much needed funds to help our service personnel but also raise awareness of our work across the UK.”
The raffle is being organised by Internet-based fundraising specialists Rogavi. Tickets cost £5 each with the draw being made on 31 January 2013.
The framed shirt includes wire woven gold and silver official club badges matched with the official badge of their country and a digitised version of the winning player’s signature.
To date the charity has set up a network of support groups across the country, put specially adapted equipment in Headley Court, Multi media equipment in to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, sent over 24,000 boxes of home comforts for troops on the front line and established holiday homes where the families of the fallen and our returning troops can enjoy some time quality time with their families.
For further information please visit www.afghanheroes.org.uk
To buy a raffle ticket please visit http://rogavi.com/charity/afghan-heroes/
