See John Barnes, Patrik Berger and other football legends take each other on in Dubai
If you love watching a good kick-around, then Irish Village on October 23 is where you’ll want to be.
Why? Well because football legends from some of the UK’s most successful teams, including Manchester United, Liverpool, Rangers and Celtics, are heading to Dubai to take part in the Dubai Duty Free Football Legends Tournament.
Some of the confirmed visiting former players are John Barnes, 51, and Patrik Berger, 41, from Liverpool, Vladimir Smicer, 42, who last played for Liverpool as part of the UEFA Champion’s League final against AC Milan in 2005.
Other football stars such as veteran Viv Anderson, goalie Andy Goram and winger Regi Blinker will also be there, much to the delight of Man Utd, Celtic and Rangers fans.
John Barnes made over 300 appearances for Liverpool from 1987 to 1997 and won 79 caps for England.
“I can’t wait to step back on that pitch in Dubai,” he’s said of the trip. “Liverpool against Manchester United and Rangers against Celtic are some of the biggest rivalries in the world of football, and you can be sure that none of these players like to lose so the competitiveness will still be there for all to see! This is a great event to bring to Dubai as I know all of these four clubs are extremely popular over there, so it’s a great chance for football fans to get up close and personal with us.”
The event will be the first ever Dubai Duty Free Football Legends Tournament. Tickets start at Dhs150, and can be bought at the Virgin Tickets website, as well as the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium Box Office.
Let’s celebrate this great news with one of the greatest lyrical flows of all time*
*not really, but we still love it
All of the players coming to Dubai to battle it out on the day are:
Liverpool
David Fairclough
Philip Andrew Babb
Vladimir Smicer
Patrik Berger
John Barnes
Anthony Randolph Warner
Manchester United
David May
Clayton Graham Blackmore
Nicholas James Culkin
Vivian Alexander Anderson
Lee Andrew Martin
Russel Peter Beardsmore
Rangers
Neil Andrew Murray
Alexander Scott Rae
Michael Alexander Mols
Andrew Lewis Goram
Charles David Copeland Gilmour Miller
Marvin Anthony Andrews
Celtic
Reginald Waldi Blinker
Bob Alfred Manuel Petta
Joseph Miller
Jan Johannes Vennegoor of Hesselink
Rudi Vata
David Elliot
Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Garhoud, Dubai. October 23, 7pm onwards. Tel: (04) 2395000. facebook.com/DDFFootball.