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Alan Shearer and Robbie Savage are going head-to-head in a battle of endurance for Sport Relief.
The footballing legends announced on Match of the Day that they will take part in BBC Radio 5 Live ‘Battle of the Five-A-Sides’ for Sport Relief.
Supported by the Premier League, the three day five-a-side football frenzy will see Alan and Robbie returning to the pitch to play, as well as manage a squad of players. Over 1,000 people will take part to play a combined total of 57 hours of continuous five-a-side football – the equivalent of one club playing an entire Premier League season. Robbie will be representing BBC Radio 5 Live’s 606, whilst Alan is taking part on behalf of BBC’s Match of the Day.
The two teams, led by the football heroes, will play on constant rotation on the Premier League five-a-side stadium at Media City Salford, Manchester, from Thursday 3rd to Saturday 5th March. The Premier League has funded the cost of the pitch as part of their bigger commitment to funding football facilities throughout the UK.
The challenge follows the Battle of the Backsides the pair took part in back in 2014 to raise money for Sport Relief, when they raced to sit on 45,000 seats each at Wembley Stadium.
Alan was victorious that time, but Robbie is more than ready for the re-match. “I can’t wait to take on Shearer with help from five-a-side players across the UK,” he said. “He may have claimed the winner’s trophy in the last challenge but team 5 Live have this one in the back of the net! Most importantly we are raising money for a great cause and even if we can’t stand at the end of the three days, it will be worth it.”
However, Alan is confident that he can repeat his victory. “I’ve taken on Savage before and beat him,” he said. “So I’m feeling confident. 57 hours is a real marathon of a match so anything can change. We’re not as young as we were when we faced each other on the pitch in the Premiership, so it’ll be great to have the help of the playing fans.”
The goal of the game is to raise much-needed cash for Sport Relief that will make a difference to people living incredibly tough lives, both here at home in the UK and across the world’s poorest communities.
Along with members of the public, the pair will be joined throughout the three days by a rolling cast of well-known names from the world of sport and entertainment and many different types of football will be played including men’s, women’s, kids, wheelchair, walking and even crab football.
To find out more go to bbc.co.uk/fiveaside(opens in new window).
