Comedians prepare for charity football match
Published: Saturday 17th August 2013
A game of football is due to take place at the Edinburgh Fringe this weekend (Sunday 18th August) involving some of the comedians who are putting on free shows at the festival this year. Bob Fletcher, one of the organisers, explains more here...
"Football doesn't get bigger than this"
For practically centuries (well, several years) a bitter rivalry has existed between the two free show factions. Two battling organisations with more bad air than a Ryanair flight. More bad blood than a Lidl Black Pudding. More bad... well, you get the idea. Now it's time to settle the score in the deadliest, manliest fashion possible. No not a slumber party, a football match.
Yes, an 11-a-side game between the comedians of the PBH Free Fringe versus an all-star side coalition of Laughing Horse Free Festival combined with mercenary gun-for-hire comics (aka Rest Of The Fest).
The legendary and infamous comedy critic Kate Copstick will, like Caesar crossed with a mad aunt, be present to award the medals and winners with an iconic trophy.
Here's the latest team news...
Team News: PBH Free Fringe
The Captain: Max Dickins (pictured) - He's taking the Fringe by storm with his affable wit but he'll need more than that to lead the PBH'ers to glory. That said, Kate Copstick recently gave him a rave review which is more than can be said for 98% of human beings, so his confidence should be sky high.
Max says: "It will be a game of two halves I think, or at least hope, otherwise it will be a short match. All I want from my boys and pre-op girls is to give me 110% out there and if they can do that, whatever the result, they can look themselves in the mirror and say "We lost. And Max will resent us forever". PBH has sent me an e-mail outlining tactics, but I haven't got round to reading it yet because it is 8000 words long."
Star Man: Goalkeeper Stuart Laws is a safe pair of hands and, like his show, "will absolutely not stop ever until you are dead". Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Dark Horse: Kate Smurthwaite. Despite being an actual female woman lady she possesses more balls than anyone on the pitch. Expect Roy Keane-esque tackles and mid-match impromptu feminist debates.
Probable Lineup: 4-3-3: Stuart Laws, Paul F Taylor, Nick Hodder, Jack De'Ath, Kate Smurthwaite, Michael Hewitson, Fergus Aitken, Bob Fletcher, Mark Stephenson, Fin Taylor, Max Dickins.
Team News: Rest Of The Fest
The Captain: Joe Davies (pictured). He's cheeky, he's chappy. Some even say 'chekappy', but we don't think it'll catch on, it's just a made up word. Jokes are his friend but will the comedy skipper find victory as chummy?
Joe says: "The strategy is to score more goals. If we can't score more goals, focus on them scoring waaaay less."
Star Man: Sy Thomas has a winning haircut and va va voom in spades. Sure he's very 'lol', but for this match he'll need to bring the lolacaust. A word which sounds like holocaust.
Dark Horse: Jim Daly. He moves in mysterious ways. Sort of like God or a maimed cat. Both of those are not to be meddled with.
Probable Line up: 4-4-2: Darren Maskell, Joshua Ross, Ian Miller, Edward Rowett, Joe Davies, Nathan Cassidy, Patrick Morris, Sy Thomas, Jim Daly, Patrick Lappin, Joby McGeean.
A number of extra players and guest substitutes are likely to be making appearances at the match too with more and more comedians now making time in their diaries for the game.
The event is free to attend. Meet at the Laurie Liddell Clubhouse at Peffermill Playing Fields. Kick of is at 10.30am.
Bucket donations will go to the National Autistic Society. If you can't attend in person but want to support the match and charity head to the Comedy Football Just Giving page
Referee: Lisa Jane-Fergie. Kits courtesy of Kits4Causes and Hibernian F.C. Trophy and Medals courtesy of TheBigTrophyShop.co.uk.
Update. Rest Of The Fest won. Match Report
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