(07 Sep 2013, 6:03 pm)aureolin wrote Charity kickabout:
Harps testimonial: now it gets serious

A testimonial match celebrating the 20-year career of former Magpies goalkeeper Steve Harper goes ahead at Gallowgate this Wednesday, 11th September (7pm) when his Select XI face an AC Milan Glorie side.

Saturday brought news from the visitors that a man who played for AC Milan between 1994 and 1996, has appeared for their old boys side and is now based in the local area will feature at SJP.

Presumably Paolo won't be getting the Metro home, but may be helped back over the river via the boot of Mr J.Barton or A.Shearer. Has anyone got David Batty's phone number?

Tickets are now on sale online from NUFC here, by phone (0844 372 1892) and in person from SJP. Despite the club communicating that they are on sale in the main ticket office however, personal callers have been redirected to the matchday ticket office on the Milburn Stand side.

The starting XI is yet to be revealed, but the recipient of the testimonial confirms that he will start and not be benched in order to accommodate Shay Given...

All proceeds benefit local charities and including Harper and current United coaches Steve Stone and Peter Beardsley, the Newcastle squad consists of 30 players:

Tino Asprilla, Peter Beardsley, Joey Barton, John Beresford, Lee Bowyer, Olivier Bernard, Nicky Butt, Lee Clark, Andy Cole, Nicos Dabizas, Kieron Dyer, Les Ferdinand, Ruel Fox, Keith Gillespie, David Ginola, Shay Given, Steve Harper, Brian Kilcline, Paul Kitson, Rob Lee, Liam O'Brien, Darren Peacock, Alessandro Pistone, Scott Sellars, Alan Shearer, Nobby Solano, Pavel Srnicek, Alan Thompson, Steve Watson, Steve Stone.

AC Milan Glorie:

Ibrahim Ba, Franco Baresi, Zvonimir Boban, Angelo Carbone, Alessandro Costacurta, Paolo Di Canio, Roberto Favalli, Federico Giunti, Christian Lantignotti, Gianluigi Lentini, Paolo Maldini, Daniele Massaro, Roberto Mussi, Massimo Oddo, Guiseppe Pancaro, Sebastiano Rossi, Massimo Taibi, Mark van Bommel, Pietro Vierchowod, Christian Vieri

The match referee will be Mark Clattenburg, who also took charge of Alan Shearer's testimonial in 2006.

PS: The Park and Ride services that operate on home match days from the Metro Centre and Newcastle Great Park will both run for the Harper Testimonial game.

Due to the fact the Magpie Movers are not valid for travel by any method of transport on that day however, fares will be payable on both services.

Bet Mr Di Canio gets a heroes welcome fro the Geordie Faithful tonight