HUNDREDS of football fans packed out the terraces for a celebrity match on Sunday, September 23, in aid of a local charity.

An Arsenal Legends XI faced the St Luke's Super Stars in the annual fundraising fixture for St Luke's Hospice in Harrow.

The Arsenal squad, made up of television stars and former players from the North London club, were gunning for glory against the team of medical professionals from the hospice, which is in Kenton Road, Harrow.

St Luke's physiotherapist Sol Abrahams was managing the home side for the day.

He said: "None of the boys train or play together regularly. I was really pleased because they worked their hardest and ran their socks off today, and it was all in such a good cause."

The game kicked off at 2pm at North Greenford Football Club, in Berkeley Avenue, Greenford. More than 300 fans packed the terraces to see the match, and saw St Luke's score the opening goal, looking for an upset against the Arsenal side undefeated in almost six years. However, the Legends' winning blend of celebrities and old pros carried them through and they ran out 7-5 winners.

Ralf Little, one of the stars of BBC3's Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, was playing for the Arsenal XI.

He said: "The game was really enjoyable, because St Luke's have a good side. Sometimes we turn up and win easily, which can be quite boring, but these boys played well and it was touch and go for a while whether we would win."

Patrick Robinson, from BBC television programme Casualty, who is Arsenal legend Ian Wright's cousin, and Bobby Armitt, who plays football on screen in television drama Dream Team, were also among the celebrities playing for the Arsenal team. Former professional footballers included Danny O'Shea, Tony Murtagh and Brian Hornsby.

The match takes place every year and the St Luke's team were happy to improve on last year's 13-2 defeat.

Dr Charles Daniels, medical director for St Luke's, said: "They were difficult opposition, very tough to break down. But the game was played in great spirit and I thought we did really well to compete."

The organisers were hoping to raise £10,000 for St Luke's, going towards medical and emotional support for terminally ill patients and their families.

Dr Daniels said: "It was good that the Arsenal lads came down to support such a good charity and it's great the amount of money that has been raised."