The Match is a reality TV show on Sky One in which a group of celebrities form a football team to compete against a team of former professional footballers (The Legends). The show begins with a large squad of celebrities who train and live together, all aiming to be selected for "The Match" against the team of legends. The show has also been published in Switzerland in 2006 and 2008 on SF 2.
In Great Britain, three editions of the programme have been made, one in early 2004, one in late 2005 and one in October 2006. The programme is hosted by Mark Durden-Smith, Ulrika Jonsson (2004) and Zoë Ball (2005 & 2006). The matches are played at St James' Park, Newcastle. In the Swiss version, the matches were held at Espenmoos in St. Gallen (2006) and at Allmend Stadion in Lucerne (2008).
Participants The show features one of English football's best known managers, Graham Taylor, who manages the celebrity team. Players on the legends team have included Ally McCoist, Matt Le Tissier and John Barnes, among others. Notable members of the celebrities team have included Jonathan Wilkes, Ralf Little, Andy Scott-Lee, Philip Olivier, MC Harvey, Terry Alderton and Darren Campbell. The Match has never been won by the celebrities - losing 2-1 in 2004 and 2-0 in 2005 and 2006. The only goal the celebrities have ever scored was one that many believe to be a fluke by Jonathan Wilkes when his apparent cross looped over the head of 63-year-old goalkeeper Peter Bonetti.
In Switzerland, the Celebrities ("Die Promis") lost 1-6 against the Legends ("Die Legenden") in 2006 and 1-2 in 2008.
The Match: Series 3 (2006) Series 3 of The Match was shown during September and October 2006.
Participants Martin Offiah Chris Hollins Rocky Marshall (dropped in public vote on 6 October) Leo Ihenacho (dropped in public vote on 2 October) Blair McDonough Craig Kelly James Hooton (dropped due to injury on 3 October) Brian McFadden (dropped in public vote on 4 October) Ralf Little Jeff Brazier Anthony Hutton Tommy Craig MC Harvey Michael Greco (dropped in public vote on 5 October) Glenn Lamont Darren Campbell Danny Young Mark Bosnich Alex Lawler Sam Robertson Alec Stewart (Captain)
Final match
Celebrities starting XI
+ Name Position Fame Mark Bosnich GoalkeeperEx- Manchester United F.C. and Chelsea F.C. goalkeeper Danny Young Fullback (Right) Coronation Street Alec Stewart Defender (Centre) (Captain) Former England Cricketer Thomas Craig Defender (Centre) Coronation Street Ralf Little Fullback (Left) Actor Anthony Hutton Winger (Right) Big Brother Series 6 winner Chris Hollins Midfielder (Centre) Sports journalist Jeff Brazier Midfielder (Centre) Television presenter MC Harvey Winger (Left) Musician Sam Robertson Striker Coronation Street Darren Campbell Striker Athlete
Legends starting XI
+ Name Position Notable Clubs Andy Goram Goalkeeper Rangers, Manchester United Denis Irwin Fullback (Right) Manchester United, Oldham Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers Colin Hendry Defender (Centre) Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Rangers Des Walker Defender (centre) Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday, Sampdoria Nigel Winterburn Fullback (Left) Arsenal, Wimbledon, West Ham United Chris Waddle Winger (Right) (Captain) Newcastle United, Sheffield Wednesday, Olympique Marseille, Tottenham Hotspur David Batty Midfielder (centre) Leeds United, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United Gary McAllister Midfielder (centre) Leeds United, Liverpool, Leicester City, Coventry City Paul Merson Winger (Left) Arsenal, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Portsmouth, Walsall Ian Rush Striker Chester City, Liverpool, Juventus, Leeds United, Newcastle United Peter Beardsley Striker Liverpool, Newcastle United, Everton, Bolton Wanderers, Fulham
Match report
The Celebrities started the match on top and, for the first 15 minutes, had the vast majority of possession and goal chances. However, when Ian Rush scored for the Legends (a goal typical of his predatory style during his playing career) on 17 minutes, the game turned in the favour of the ex-professionals. For the remainder of the match the Legends used their superior passing ability and vision to keep hold of the ball and keep the Celebrities chances to a bare minimum. The commentary team even mentioned that it had become the most one-sided match in the short history of this fixture.
Celebrity winger MC Harvey was sent off late in the game for a second bookable offence. Upon leaving the field he had a row with goalkeeping coach Tony Coton which sparked aggression between many players and staff of both teams. This explosive reaction from Harvey seemed to amuse some of the Legends players, such as Paul Gascoigne who was seen laughing and making hand gestures.
Match history YearWinnerScorersRunner-upScorersScoreVenueAttendance2004LegendsGary Pallister (45')Ally McCoist (90' + 4')CelebritiesJonathan Wilkes (85')2–1St James' Park52,0002005Nigel Winterburn (5')Ally McCoist (67')2–02006Ian Rush (17')Chris Waddle (57')2–0
See also FC Nerds The Club (Australian reality show)
External links Official Sky One/The Match 3 website website of the Swiss version "Der Match"