Your Chance To Play At Upton Park!

Diehard Hammers fans have been netting the chance to follow in their heroes' footsteps and play on the hallowed turf at Upton Park, thanks to Football Aid.

Officially endorsed by the FA, the FA Premier League and the Nationwide League in England and the SFA, the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football League in Scotland, Football Aid is a unique charity venture offering supporters all over the country the chance to pull on the jerseys and play for their favourite team at their heroes' stadium.

Now in its second year, Football Aids bids have already reached £260,000 and the "bidding closed" signs are going up on the first positions of the Football Aid website after supporters snapped up the chance to take part in the special fans' match at the end of the season.

Places are still up for grabs at each club to fans registering the highest bids on the Football Aid website www.footballaid.com until 6 March.  

Last year, big-hearted fans raised nearly £250,000 for diabetes research and the good causes supported by the club and the football authorities after bidding for all the available places on the Football Aid website www.footballaid.com.

Football Aid founder Craig Paterson said: "We've had a tremendous response from West Ham supporters and bidding has been especially fierce. Hammers fans are very passionate about their club and they have come forward in large numbers to raise to help raise for charity. We are especially delighted that a number of people bidding this year also took part in last year's event."

On Sunday, April 28, West Ham United will give over their stadium to Football Aid, letting fans pull on the jerseys and run out of the tunnel onto their field of dreams.

Football Aid patron Bobby Robson expressed his delight at the success of the project. He said: "For the lucky participants, it will be an unforgettable experience to run out on to the pitch and play for the jersey."

More details about Football Aid are available on the website www.footballaid.com