This coming Sunday the Walsall Football Supporters' Trusts' Legends side travel to Heather St Johns' - St John's Park ground to take on Hinckley United Legends, in aid of charity and of the newly formed Hinckley AFC who are aiming to raise funds for next season...The match, which will raise funds for both Hinckley Legends and local charities, will be played in memory of Matt Gadsby, who's career was suddenly cut short in September 2006, whilst playing for Hinckley.
Matt began his career as an apprentice at Walsall Football Club in 1996 and penned his first professional contract with the club in 1998, he made his debut, under Jan Sorensen, later that same year.
After around fifty senior appearances, including a substitute appearance during the Play-Off Final victory over Reading in 2001, Matt departed for Mansfield Town in 2002 after falling out of favour under then manager Colin Lee.
Matt made around twenty first-team appearances over the 2002/03 season for Mansfield before joining Kidderminster Harriers at the end of the playing year. He made more than thirty appearances for the Harriers before once again departing for pastures new, this time Matt joined Forest Green Rovers, where he spent the next two seasons, and made around sixty-six appearances for the club.
In the summer of 2006, Matt joined Hinckley United in the Conference North.
Just days after his 27th birthday, on Saturday 9th September, Matt collapsed during a match versus Harrogate Town, and despite efforts by officials and paramedics, he passed away at Harrogate District Hospital, from what was late discovered to be Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy, an inherited condition that affects the muscle of the right ventricle of the heart.
Since his death, Matt's family and friends have organised several events in aid of CRY - Cardiac Risk in the Young, an organisation aiming to raise awareness of conditions that can lead to young sudden cardiac death and sudden death syndrome.
The match will be kicked off by Matt's daughter Millie at 2:00pm. There will also be various activities, including a Bouncy Castle!
Players already confirmed to be in attendance are, Raj Gill, Andy Reece, Tony Millard, Mark Taylor, Wayne Evans, Brian Palgrave, Wayne Thomas, Mark Kinsella, Paul Jones, Kris Taylor, Tim Clarke, Sean Geddes, Jon Hope, Martin Gethin, Dan Vayro, Matt Robinson and Chris Madeley along with some of Matt Gadsbys who will feature for both sides.
We encourage all supporters to attend the match and show their support for these great causes.
The address of St John's Park is;
St John's Park
Ravenstone Road
Heather
Leicestershire
LE67 2QJ