Wells CRS’ owner David Murphy, a former Middlesbrough defender, has decided to take on his first managerial role in football – all in aid of charity.

The 39-year-old, who retired nine years ago following injury, will oversee a five-a-side team at the first Wells CRS Community Cup at Soccer Sensations on Sunday, December 3.

All monies raised from the event will be donated to Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind and the Ingleby Barwick Community Partnership.

That event will follow another fundraiser when the Myton House Farm pub, Ingleby Barwick, will host a race night on Saturday, November 4.

Then David, who has co-owned the commercial refurbishment specialists Wells with Garry Wells since 2019, will be naming his starting line-up for his company’s team at the five-a-side competition in December.

David said: “I’ve never even wanted to get back into football since retiring, so this is going to be a bit of fun. The main thing is to give something back to the local community, we all agree with that who is organising the event.

Activities

“We hope the money raised will help to provide activities and opportunities to help keep kids off the streets. It’s going to be great to be part of.

“There’s not a chance of me getting my boots out again, I don’t think my knees could take it!

“Wells CRS are proud to support this event and hopefully I can manage the team to glory. The first person I’m looking forward to giving the hairdryer treatment to, mind, is my business partner Garry.”

Hartlepool-born Murphy was a graduate of the Middlesbrough academy before Steve McClaren handed him his professional debut in 2001 in the League Cup. After three years at Boro he had spells with Barnsley, Hibernian and Birmingham City.

Exclusive

Wells CRS are sponsoring the event being organised by local teacher Paul Trollope and sales advisor Martyn Williams. Soccer Sensations Teesside are providing exclusive use of the centre that afternoon.

The tournament is open to teams over the age of 16. There is a limit of 20 teams who will compete in a group stage format progressing into knockouts.

Dan Pattison, Soccer Sensations’ club manager, said: “We will be providing trophies for individuals, the winners and runners up.

“The bar will be open and there will be a pitch set aside throughout the afternoon for children to get involved in penalty shoot-outs and other activities.

“We have a lot of Ingleby Barwick customers, this is a local club and we would love to see as many people get involved to raise as much money as we can. It would be great to see the community support this event.”

Paul added: “We know with the cost of living crisis how money is tight for families these days and if we can raise enough to give something back to the kids that would be great. We would love this to become an annual event.”

The Race Night at the Myton House Farm is first on the agenda and Garry is looking ahead of a month of fun and fundraising.

He said: “Paul and Martyn dragged me along to play football and this football competition was all the result of a little side bet we had with each other that night. It’s great we are now going to help the young kids of Ingleby Barwick and beyond.

“The Ingleby Barwick Community Partnership will receive much-needed money that will go towards the Christmas lights, Christmas parties and a big summer fayre. It’s all for the kids and Mind. Hopefully it will make a little difference.

“We are a local company and we like to give where we can. We employ local people, even though we operate nationwide.”

  • To enter a team in the Wells CRS Annual Community Cup contact Paul on 07818507746 or email pault68@hotmail.com. The price is £70 per team and each team can have a maximum of seven players in the squad.
  • To book a table at the race night contact the Myton House Farm directly and remaining tickets are priced £4 each including pie and peas.
Wells CRS’ owners Garry Wells and David Murphy with Soccer Sensations’ Dan Pattison and Community Cup organiser Paul Trollope.