FORMER Reading Football Club players took on members of a boy band in a charity tournament which raised thousands of pounds.


The event at Highfield Park was in support of Out of the Blue, set up by the family of murdered teenager Robert Sebbage.


Football teams took part in a five-aside tournament in the grounds of the conference centre, in Heckfield.
 

Players from Reading Legends took on Basingstoke boy band Concept, as well as a team from Out of the Blue, which included Robert’s brothers.
 

The fund was set up by Rhian and Andy Sebbage after their 18-year-old son was killed in Zante a year ago, while on holiday with friends.
 

The couple, from Weyhill Close, Tadley, are raising money to pay for an English-speaking lawyer to represent them at the trial of their son’s accused killer this September.
 

The fun day event, organised by staff from Highfield Park, raised around £4,500 for the fund, and for the British Heart Foundation.
 

Kirsty Ewart, manager at the conference centre, said: “A few of my staff live near where Robert was from. The head chef said something about doing a football tournament and then we decided to turn it into a fun day as well.

We have had about 800 people come along and are very pleased. It’s the first time we have done it and opened our doors to the general public. It’s about Great British hospitality.”
 

Richard Wickson, manager of Reading Legends, said: “We were asked to support this event but we want to do more now we know the story behind Out of the Blue. We play around eight to 10 games every summer to raise money for charity and this is a local charity and it’s one that’s well worthy of supporting.”
 

Mrs Sebbage said the week had been an emotional one, with the anniversary of her son’s death on July 13.
 

She added: “We’re so grateful for all the support, and it’s events like this that keep us going.”