A BRADFORD junior football club has raised nearly £4,500 for charity in memory of two men who died from complications with Motor Neuron Disease.

Bradford City legends Gary Jones, Filipe Morais and James Hanson visited Bolton Woods Junior Football Club’s ground on Sunday (August 25) to take on the club’s coaches in a game of football to raise funds for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation in memory of Bolton Woods founder Derek Ogden and Ken Bird, who both lost their battle with the disease.

Bradford City legends Filipe Morais, James Hanson and Gary Jones with Michelle Elliott of Bolton Woods JFCBradford City legends Filipe Morais, James Hanson and Gary Jones with Michelle Elliott of Bolton Woods JFC (Image: UGC)

Bolton Woods JFC secretary Michelle Elliott, who is the granddaughter of Mr Bird, said: “My granddad passed away in January 2008 at the age of 68. When he had it, we didn’t know what MND was or how it progresses. It was not a well-known disease then.

“It blindsided us. We just lived with it day in and day out and took each day as it comes.”

Michelle Elliott with her granddad Ken Bird, who died of complications with MNDMichelle Elliott with her granddad Ken Bird, who died of complications with MND (Image: UGC)

Mr Ogden founded Bolton Woods Football Club in 1988 but had also battled against MND.

And Michelle, who is from Bradford, wanted to organise a football charity match at the club’s ground to raise money for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, which was set up by former Bradford City captain Stephen Darby and his close friend Chris Rimmer.

Michell Elliott, right, and her daughter Megan with Stephen DarbyMichell Elliott, right, and her daughter Megan with Stephen Darby (Image: UGC)

Darby was 29 years old when announced his retirement from football after being diagnosed with MND.

“We did a charity walk in March from Bradford City to Liverpool to raise money for the charity,” said Michelle. “Stephen Darby was my favourite player when he captained Bradford City.”

The Bolton Wood coaches team who took on the Bradford City legends in a charity football match in memory of Derek Ogden and Ken BirdThe Bolton Wood coaches team who took on the Bradford City legends in a charity football match in memory of Derek Ogden and Ken Bird (Image: UGC)

Michelle and Bolton Woods JFC coach Jimmy Lee Haigh spent the last four months putting together the Bradford City Legends v Bolton Woods Coaches charity match, which was attended by more than 200 fans on Sunday.

Michelle said: “Bradford City Legends started strong and went into half time winning 5-0 but the Bolton Woods coaches began the second half strong seeing them score four (Nathan Waterhouse, Adam Clapham and Chris Pitts) goals before getting a penalty.”

Megan Elliott and her daughter Amelia, who plays for Bolton Woods U-12s, walk out with a honorary Stephen Darby shirt before a charity match on SundayMegan Elliott and her daughter Amelia, who plays for Bolton Woods U-12s, walk out with a honorary Stephen Darby shirt before a charity match on Sunday (Image: UGC)

After shouts from the Bolton Woods coaches for their coach Michelle to take the penalty, up she stepped only to see it saved by Legends goalkeeper Richard Cornwall.

The Bradford City Legends went on to win 7-4 with goals from James Hanson, Filipe Morais and ex-Everton legend Stuart Barlow.

So far, £4,300 has been raised for the charity and Michelle is hoping the final total will be £4,500.