Football family coming to the aid of stricken Hams

Former Walton Casuals manager Mark Hams is looking forward to football's family turning out in force for a benefit match in aid of his brother Neil who's battling Motor Neurone Disease.

Doctors confirmed that the 37-year-old former manager of Kingstonian's U18s was suffering with the degenerative disease in January with The Neil Hams Benefit Day set to take place at Walton Casuals on Sunday 10 May.

Hams senior, Alan Dowson's number two at Kingstonian and now coaching Redhill, was managing Walton Casuals with his brother alongside him as assistant manager before the pair left Waterside Drive in September.

His younger brother, a former Chelsea youth star and described by many as “one of the nicest guys in football", first showed signs of the condition last summer and Hams says he has been stunned by the support from fans, clubs and leading figures throughout the game since the news became public.

Current and former stars who are already raising awareness of the event and may end up playing in the charity match planned include Manchester United and England defender Luke Shaw, Burnley's Republic of Ireland defender Steven Reid, Jody Morris, Neil Shipperley, Kerry Dixon, Gareth Hall, David Lee, Jason Cundy and Kevin Watson.

Hams, 38, said: "Sadly, the illness has gripped him very quickly and his mobility is now extremely limited but the support so far from the 'football family' has been nothing short of stunning.

"You meet so many people throughout your career so it hasn’t surprised me but it has been very humbling and I'd like to say thank you to everybody who has been in touch."

He added: "It should be a great event to raise awareness of MND and enable my brother to fulfill any lifetime dreams he may have."

To receive a copy of the poster pictured and help publicise the event, fans and clubs should email: mhams@aol.com.

Two people in every 100,000 develop MND which attacks the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing increasing disability and eventually leads to death. For more information visit: www.mndassociation.org.

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