A Centenary Weekend to Remember at Northwood FC

3rd & 4th May 2026

Northwood Football Club proudly kicked off its centenary year of events with an unforgettable weekend of football, bringing together past, present and future generations of the club in true Woods spirit.

Sunday: Legends Return

The celebrations began on Sunday with a special Legends match, welcoming back past players and club icons spanning over 50 years of Northwood FC history. In a fiercely competitive and entertaining game, the sides battled to a 4–4 draw before the Legends edged victory 4–3 on penalties.

Goals for the Legends came from John Christian, Andy Edey, Chris Gell and a Wayne Carter penalty, while Garry Senior stole the show with a hat-trick for the opposition, alongside a goal from Dan Power.

One of the most heartwarming moments of the day saw the youngest player, the teenage grandson of one of the oldest participants, take to the pitch, perfectly capturing the club’s generational legacy.

Among the senior players were Alan Clarke and Nigel Franklin, both now in their 70s. Nigel represented the club between 1974 and 1982, while Alan played from 1979 to 1982 and even travelled from Australia to be part of the occasion.

While the legs may have been a little older, the quality and passion on display proved that the class and skill of Northwood players never fades.

Bank Holiday Monday: Football, Fun and Fundraising

Bank Holiday Monday delivered a full day of football, entertainment and community spirit, with over 700 people in attendance.

The day kicked off with an All Stars match, featuring players from the past five years, All Stars Red vs All Stars Blue, managed by former managers Dennis Quigley and Ben Bukowski.

With humorous pre-match team talks, “roly poly, 50p, win the cup”, red velvet tracksuits, silly wigs and even half-time beers, the game perfectly balanced fun with competition, ending in a 4–3 win for the Blues, with Dennis Quigley’s side lifting the trophy.

Our Future Stars Take Centre Stage

Next came a fantastic hour of youth football, as teams including U7 Reds, U7 Whites, U7 Blue, U8 Reds, U8 Whites, U9 Whites and U9 Reds had the unforgettable experience of walking through the tunnel and being announced onto the pitch. With proud parents cheering from the stands, the next generation of Northwood players showcased their talent on the senior pitch, a truly special moment for everyone involved.

Champions Honoured

Before the main event, the club celebrated the outstanding achievements of the Under 18s, who completed a lap of honour following their incredible double-winning season, lifting both the Isthmian Youth League and the Middlesex Senior Youth Cup.

Congratulations to all the players, along with manager Jamie Barry and assistant manager Matt Kaye, a fantastic achievement for the club!

The Main Event: Celebrity Charity Match

The day built to its headline attraction, the Celebrity Charity Football Match, organised by Sellebrity Soccer and former Northwood player and AFC Wimbledon legend Kevin Cooper.

A star-studded line-up from sport, TV, film, music and social media entertained the crowd, including:
- Cricket legend Monty Panesar
- Steps singer Lee Latchford-Evans
- Olympic sprinter Dwain Chambers
- Actor Joe Jackson
- MasterChef The Professionals finalist Steve Barringer
- Social media star Woody
- Former Premier League footballer Henri Lansbury.

They were joined by personalities from The Apprentice, Love Island, Married at First Sight, Fortune Hotel, alongside boxers Troy Jr Ndele and Stevi Levy, ensuring there was something for everyone in the crowd.

In an exciting contest, the Light Blues won 5–4, captained by Monty Panesar. A huge thank you goes to Shamira Hamirani, partner of the club’s late Life President Pat Byrne, for generously sponsoring the match.

An Atmosphere to Remember

The atmosphere in the ground was buzzing throughout the day, with Mexican waves, goal celebrations, music, and even an Elvis impersonator performing at half-time.

One unforgettable moment came after the final whistle, when Dwain Chambers took part in a sprint race against a young fan who had won an auction prize. Given a generous head start, the teenager just managed to hold off the Olympic athlete, much to the delight of the crowd.

Supporting a Vital Local Cause

While the weekend celebrated 100 years of Northwood FC, it also had a deeper purpose, raising funds for Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Charity, with a particular focus on the Lynda Jackson Centre.

The Lynda Jackson Centre provides a calm, welcoming space for cancer patients and their families, offering free emotional support, counselling, wellbeing therapies and practical advice alongside medical treatment. It is a vital resource for thousands of people across the local community.

We are still finalising totals, but early indications show that over £5,000 has been raised across the weekend, a fantastic achievement that will go directly to supporting this important work.

More Than Just a Football Club

A huge thank you to everyone who made the weekend possible, our volunteers, supporters, staff, players, past and present, celebrities, youth teams and families.

Northwood FC is more than just a football club, it is about football, friendship and community, and this weekend captured that spirit perfectly.

With many more exciting events planned throughout our centenary year, this is just the beginning!

By JOHN JOYCE