THE THEATRE OF DREAMS...
Red Heart United – Legends Match (14th June, 2015), Old Trafford (UK)
The Manchester United Foundation (MUF) once again organised the AllStars Bayern Munich FC legends team versus Manchester United legends team football match, on Sunday 14th June. This charity football match has been hosted both in 2010 and 2013 and Red Sky at Night Events (RSANE) was appointed to oversee the opening ceremony, concert on the pitch, closing trophy presentation and pre-event external stadium entertainment.
I was contracted by RSANE to both co-produce stadium entertainment as well as to show call the pre-match on-pitch entertainment on the day in front a crowd of 50,128. This fun family day is a bi-annual charity event successfully organised by the Manchester United Foundation in order to develop awareness and is televised live through Manchester United TV (MUTV).
Spectators were treated to themed food trucks serving German and British food & drinks, funfair, jugglers, dancers, football activities and local live music performances, which created a carnival atmosphere prior to kick-off.
Entertainment included co-ordinating over 100 children onto and around the pitch, each waving MUF flags whilst Siobhan Johnstone gave a breathtaking Heliosphere aerial ballet performance. Siobhan was suspended beneath a helium balloon as it floated through the crowd. Illuminated and set to music, this performance was truly unforgettable.
Pyrotechnics were cued at the finale, welcoming none other than 'X Factor' 2014 winner, Ben Haenow to pitch centre stage. He was later joined by 2 other UK artists (Ella Eyre & Union J).
English TV presenter Rachel Riley (Countdown) hosted this event-filled day, both for the capacity audience at Old Trafford but also provided a live link to MUTV.
Football legends competing included Bryan Robson (Team Captain), Dwight Yorke, Paul Scholes, Louis Saha, Andy Cole, Ji-sing Parke, Edwin van der Saar, Quentin Fortune (to name a few)
