It’s been confirmed that Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League cup will be on display at this Saturday’s Super Sports Day – the epic finale to Knowsley’s Sporting Legends Relay.
Taking place at Eddie McCardle Playing fields in the shadow of Liverpool FC’s AXA Training Centre, those attending will have an opportunity to have their picture taken with one of the world’s most famous footballing trophies – between 12noon – 3.30pm. Not only that but other Liverpool FC legends from both on and off the pitch will be taking part in the event.
Super Sports Day will start with a parade from the AXA Training Centre to Eddie McCardle playing fields. Joining the parade will be LFC legend Alan Kennedy as well as chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, Margaret Aspinall. Also taking part in the parade will be participants from across the week’s events, 100 local dancers and other sporting legends including Knowsley born Steven Jennings a former Tranmere Rovers, Motherwell and Coventry City player as well as local boxers John Conteh MBE, Natasha Jonas, Sarah Saleh and Tom Stalker.
Cllr Graham Morgan said:
“This weekend’s Super Sports Day is set to be a really special event for the people of Knowsley. We are a borough with a rich sporting history, and the sporting relay demonstrates just this. So many sporting legends have come out of Knowsley and we have countless local sporting heroes who play a significant role in the sporting life of our borough.
“It was crucial that we reflected Knowsley’s sporting brothers and sisters in our Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture programme and I’m incredibly proud of this sporting relay. We really have brought something to the borough has never been seen before and hopefully inspired lots of young people along the way to follow their sporting dreams.
“I also want to say a special thank you to Margaret Aspinall for agreeing to be part of our event. Margaret’s tireless pursuit of the truth for what happened to her son James and the other 96 football fans who lost their lives because of the Hillsborough disaster is inspirational and I’m honoured that she is joining us.”
BBC Radio Merseyside’s sports presenter, Giulia Bould will be hosting the event that will also feature live music, ‘It’s a Knockout’ style games and a kid’s zone. There will also be two amazing dance performances choreographed by Grace Goulding supported by the iconic Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE who has previously worked on events such as the London Olympics, world cups and Commonwealth Games – you can read more about that here.
Knowsley’s Sporting Legends Relay is a 6 day event celebrating Knowsley’s rich sporting heritage. Sport is in the borough’s DNA and this weeklong event has been an opportunity for local communities, sporting groups, local sportspeople and even the odd famous face to join in the festivities.
The Super Sports Day event has been helped with support from LFC’s community initiative, Red Neighbours. The parade starts at 12.50pm from Gate 2 LFC Academy, Arbour Ln, Kirkby, Liverpool L33 7XG – if you would like to take part in the parade or represent your sports club CLICK HERE to register.
Super Sports Day is on from 12noon – 6pm on Saturday 23 July at Eddie McArdle Playing Fields, Simonswood Lane, Kirkby. Entry is FREE and we welcome walk-ups but why not CLICK HERE to book to get event updates straight to your inbox.
For more information about Knowsley’s Sporting Relay visit www.cultureknowsley.co.uk/sporting-legends-relay/
Other participants in the parade include:
Sam Maxwell
Sam moved to Prescot when he was 9. He is a professional boxer who has held the British and Commonwealth light-welterweight titles since August 2021. As an amateur he won a bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Tony Collins
Tony is a retired scaffolder from Huyton who represented Great Britain in a major amateur wrestling competition.
Mike Dooling
Mike is loyal member of Liverpool Harriers and in 2012 he was a torch bearer for the London Olympics.
Gill Verdin
Gill is a local nurse who has run more than 100 marathons.
Paul Smith
Paul is an English middle weight champion/ two times British super middle weight champion/three times challenger for super middle weight world title/also winning silver as a light middle weight in 2002 commonwealth games.
Stephen Smith
Challenged twice for super feather weight world championship/British commonwealth feather weight and super feather weight/won gold 2006 commonwealth games/bronze in European amateur championships.
Callum Smith
World super and ring magazine super middle weight tile/British and European super middle weight champion/won world boxing super series at super middle weight 2018/silver commonwealth games 2010/ Gold GB championship welter weight 2010.