Two award-winning regional reporters will take to the pitch of a Premier League club and go head to head for a fundraising penalty shoot-out.
Birmingham Mail business editor Jon Griffin and former Birmingham Post business editor John Duckers shared the Business Journalist of the Year prize at last year’s Midlands Media Awards as judges were unable to choose between them.
And to decide which of them gets to keep the accolade once and for all, the pair will dust off their football boots and lead a showdown during a special half-time event at the match between Aston Villa and Manchester City next month.
Each will head a team of three and take 12 penalties in total, with Barclays executive Ray O’Donoghue refereeing in front of what is expected to be a 40,000 crowd.
[/caption]
A ‘surprise celebrity guest’ is billed as the goalie.
Griffin, aged 57, said: “I last kicked a ball in anger over 20 years ago but this is such a good cause that I’m quite prepared to make a fool of myself in front of 40,000 people.”
Duckers, 61, added: “Rugby has always been my game rather than football so I already have a good excuse if the ball flies over the bar.”
The event, on March 4, is being held to raise funds for Midlands-based charity Acorns Hospice.
The Birmingham Mail and Birmingham Press Club, which sponsors the annual awards, are also hosting a competition to allow two young Villa fans to join Jon and John and take two penalty kicks each at the match.
Sign up for our free daily email bulletin
Follow HTFP on Twitter
Got a story? Email the Editor at
The way Villa are playing this season, you two should offer to stay on the pitch for the second half….
Good luck, lads.
Report this comment
Jon last kicked a ball in anger more than 20 years ago and his beloved non-league team Mansfield Town haven’t fared any better – winning only one cup in their history and that was the Freight Rover Trophy 25 years ago.
Perhaps he is hoping to emanate their Stags nickname – by headbutting Duckers out of the penalty shoot-out.
Report this comment
Two great journalists but a pair of dodgy footballers…still, I back Jon smashing it into the net like Thierry Henry. Good luck guys – and may the best hack win!
Report this comment