Oxfordshire pub to host Premier League legends tournament

The Three Horseshoes pub on Witney’s Corn Street in the town centre are putting on a weekend of football-based activity for Debra UK.

The charity supports people affected by epidermolysis bullosa or butterfly skin and is one of the largest funders of research into treatments and cures.

The award-winning pub is putting on a series of events to fundraise for the organisation on May 30 and May 31.

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This includes The Three Horseshoes and Debra Charity Cup, featuring four teams: The Three Horseshoes Legends FC, Debra Charity Legends FC, Oxford United Legends and Oxfordshire Legends FC.

Among the special players and managers are a host of Premier League legends including Graeme Souness (an ambassador for the charity), Matt Le Tissier, Jimmy Bullard and Neil Ruddock.

The Oxford United Legends include Matty Taylor, Chrissy Allen and Jamie Cook, with Fenners and Tubes from Soccer AM also appearing.

The poster for the event (Image: The Three Horseshoes)

The tournament will be held from 11am on May 31 at the MGroup Stadium in Oxford, with tickets available here.

Following the event all are invited to The Three Horseshoes for food (hopefully a BBQ) and drink.

The day before, there will be a series of special Q&A sessions and talks at The Three Horseshoes, including with former Premier League referee Graeme Scott.

Graeme Souness is an ambassador for the charity (Image: PA Archive/PA)

Mike Dove and Tommy Higgs, the licensees of the Witney pub have said they hope to raise £100,000 for Debra UK over the weekend.

They added: “We have got to know epidermolysis bullosa over the past couple of years, and we are very motivated and energised by what Debra do.

Everyone is invited to the pub after the tournament (Image: Admiral Taverns)

“We want to make this one of the biggest charity events in Oxfordshire.”

The duo explained that they had met some of those suffering with the disease at a recent event and that they were humbled by the experience.

They said: “We really believe we can raise some serious money for this charity and raise awareness as well.”

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The Nutmeg game is sponsoring all the kits on the day while other sponsors include Reebok, Witney Lakes, Peninsular, Toast, jurni, Polythene UK, Admiral Taverns, Comms4U and Molson Coors.

Last year Mr Higgs and Mr Dove were crowned the licensees of the year at the British Institute of Innkeeping awards and since then they have spoken out about the challenges facing the pub industry.

In addition, they have explained why pubs are important community assets including for hosting and organising charity events such as this.