A TEAM of south coast football legends will put their rivalry to one side in memory of their former team-mate, Saints and Portsmouth icon, Jon Gittens.

The centre-back who also went on to manage Fareham Town, passed away in 2019, aged 55, from the rare blood cancer, Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia. 

On Sunday, April 16, the father-of-three will be remembered in a football match as the All-Stars take on a team of Jon’s former Fareham players at the Cams Alders Football Stadium in aid of Cancer Research UK.

The All-Stars line-up will include Jason Dodd, Lee Bradbury, Glenn Cockerill, Deon Burton, Guy Butters, Alan Knight, Dave Waterman, Nicky Banger, Reuben Agboola and Gary Wheatcroft with support on the sidelines from Paul Walsh, Mickey Adams and Claus Lundekvam.

Meanwhile ex-Fareham Town captain, Bjay Green has been instrumental in bringing his side back together after 20 years.

Jon’s wife, Jayne, who organised the match alongside Green, said: “I know Jon would want us to do this to continue fundraising for research. 

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“We received so much support from Cancer Research UK, from information when he was diagnosed to the treatments he received, that we really want to continue to raise awareness and support the charity.”

Former teammate and Saints legend, Jason Dodd said: “I was lucky enough to play with Jon and the fact that so many of us are all coming back together to remember him says a lot about him as a person. 

“It’s a wonderful cause and Jayne is fantastic at giving back to those who supported them during that difficult time. For us to come along and have a wander round on the pitch and have some banter with the fans after years of rivalry is a no-brainer. It will be a brilliant, family day.”

In his later years, Gittens became a pioneer in coach education for the FA. He championed inclusivity and became a role model for the next generation of coaching talent from diverse ethnic communities. His outstanding achievements were reflected in the opening of ‘The Jon Gittens Pitch’ at England’s training base, St George’s Park.

Despite spending much of his sporting career in the spotlight, Jon kept his 2014 diagnosis private. 

Jayne said: “Jon was never poorly and had experienced no symptoms until he suffered a really bad nosebleed on a flight back from China where he had been working. 

“He visited the doctor straight away and tests revealed he had developed Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia. He was so strong physically and mentally, fighting it and carried on working for as long as he could.”

“The charity match helps us to keep Jon’s memory alive and is our way of making sure some good comes out of something so sad. It’s going to be a really fantastic day watching both sides play and there are lots of fun things planned for all the family.”

Kick-off is set for 2PM and fans will have the opportunity to donate to take part in a half-time penalty shoot-out against ex-Portsmouth goalkeeper, Alan Knight, nicknamed ‘The Legend’, having played more than 800 times for Pompey.

Younger fans can also enjoy a day of bouncy castles, face painting and cupcakes as well as the chance to have pictures with the Portsmouth and Southampton mascots.

An extensive selection of footballing memorabilia will also be auctioned off, including signed shirts from Portsmouth, Saints and Sheffield Wednesday, currently managed by ex-Pompey player, Darren Moore.

Fareham Town Football club has provided the pitch for free to enable as many donations as possible to go towards Cancer Research UK as it strives to find new and improved ways of detecting, treating and preventing more than 200 types of cancer.