In 2016 Roberto Pietraforte the Manager of local side AC Wollaton decided that he had had enough of the rigors of organizing fixtures, arranging players to turn up at games on a certain day and time and that it was a constant nightmare to manage. With his passion for the game once as a player and now as a Manager there was no way that he was going to give up the ghost as they say.

So from here he decided to cut back on his involvement but at the same time he didn’t want to move away from the game as it is so close to his heart. What could he do to stay with some involvement in the beautiful game that we all love was something that he would have asked himself. With these his circumstances he decided that he would start arranging fixtures locally with the aim of raising money for local charities and worthy causes. Each time a fixture was arranged and played the players would each put £10 in the pot and a pre-determined charity would be the benefactor. This would catch the eye of many a local player and fixtures would become more demanding as more players wanted to be involved.

The concept of the notion was that we are fortunate to be able to play where others are less fortunate in things in life that we have as a norm so giving a little bit back to help people in need was something that we could all participate in. Giving our time up for a few hours a week and putting a few coffers in a pot was something that was going to make a positive contribution to the community. So with all this happening and Roberto’s concept the Charities and the fundraising started to generate even more interest. Players from the Semi-professional leagues started to look up and notice and get involved wanting to make a difference. The pots started to get larger, more fixtures were being arranged and each time a new player came on board there would be an initiation ceremony which would be videoed. Each ceremony would bring a pie-ing for the worst singer and each time Roberto would be the one that got it even though he wasn’t singing. The comradery was growing and as well as the fundraising the players were being  brought together also. Players started upping their donations and the Charity team was expanding. We got involved with Rainbows, were raising funds for many local benefactors and a Superhero team was set up to visit children at the Queens Medical Centre at Christmas and Easter with presents.

The Charity team has evolved and grown over the years and the support has been fantastic to the point that ex professional players and managers have sent us messages of support. People such as Bryan Robson the ex Manchester United Captain, Dennis Irwin, Harry Redknapp, Chris Kamara, Andy Gray & Richard Keys as well as Brendon O’Carroll have all shown their support for the efforts that we as a group are making.

As it stands at the moment the player catchment is in it’s hundreds with many more still coming on board to help so many needy. The team are currently playing fixtures at least twice a month and have also evolved a ‘Vets’ team along our way so as to allow the ‘oldies’ to have a go also.

The team have also in the past couple of years arranged fixtures across the border against a national side from Scotland which have also proved to be very successful events. So again it has been arranged that a return fixture this summer should take place and instead of our lads travelling north of the border the opposition have been invited down here to our territory. The fixture has been arranged for 25th June at Ilkeston Town’s ground where we hope we can generate more interest also. But before this game takes place Roberto has been working on the Irish and there will now be an extra fixture in the busy schedule that the Charity has. Ireland will be bringing a team to Pride Park on Saturday 14th May and again we are hoping that we can generate a lot of interest and support to raise further funds for those in need.

On speaking about the teams up coming events, chief organiser, the man himself who started it all off, Roberto Pietraforte, who has with his players and the football family of Nottinghamshire and beyond, raised over £60,000 since the charity began, stated “The next few months will see our busiest schedule to date, playing up two to three games a month which will Include first team and our veterans.

“Sandwiched in between this will be two internationals games against the Republic of Ireland and Scotland. The demand for our support has been relentless proving the importance of trying to make a difference. We do it through the vehicle football. We will be facing some formidable opponents along the way but none more so of pitting ourselves against an entire league.

“June 4th it’s The Angels v The Notts Senior League with the child bereavement centre being the beneficiaries.

“Football and charity don’t you just love it.”

*Article supplied by Phil Jennings.

*Main image @AC-CHARITY-FC the team in all their glory ahead of a recent match.