IT may have only been a friendly match, but both sides were up for the challenge during a charity football game.

Each year, Graeme Warner, aged 56, of Ferndale Avenue, Whitefield, organisers matches at Manchester Grammar School for MacMillan Cancer Support in memory of school staff member Stuart Dale, who died of cancer in 2005.

Mr Warner rounded up a team of celebrities for an All Stars team, including former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater and BBC presenter Mark Chapman.

They played against a group of school staff, which includes former Lancashire and England cricketer Mike Watkinson, who is the school's head of cricket.

Last Friday's match ended 3-3, with charity emerging as the real winner.

"The match raised £5,000 for a very worthy cause. We were all delighted with the amount collected," said Mr Warner, whose son Lee used to go to the school.

"There were some feisty tackles going in and we gave out what I think is our first ever yellow card in these games, but everything was good natured and in high spirits. Both sets of players had a great day."

The school is marking its 500th anniversary this year and Mr Warner said: "It was an extremely special event in view of the year-long celebrations."

Bolton Wanderers donated kits for the match.