After a competitive game played in great spirits officiated by top flight referee Nigel Miller from Esh Winning, who ran the line at the 2003 FA Cup final, the Bishop Auckland College staff team won 11-8.
It is the third time the annual event has been held at the Tindale Crescent stadium, in a bid to raise its profile and increase fundraising for the college’s chosen charities. This year more than £1,000 has been raised via sponsorship and gate receipts for Help for Heroes and local charity Sporting Force, which both help injured veterans to rebuild their lives.
Children from Cockton Hill Infant School in Bishop Auckland acted as mascots, running out from the tunnel on to the pitch with the officials and teams at the beginning of the match. Other entertainment provided included sporting activities for the younger spectators provided by Durham County Council’s Parklife project.
Nigel, who has officiated at Premier League and Football League and cup matches for more than 20 years, was assisted on the line at last Friday night’s game by his son Andrew, who is also a professional referee.
Players included HND Level 5 Sport student Adam Mitchell, 22, from Middleton-in-Teesdale, a former Sunderland AFC player who played in the Premier League until 2014 and recently won promotion with Darlington FC.
Katy Graham, learning area manager for sport and uniformed services, said: “I would like to thank Bishop Auckland FC, Nigel Miller and his team of match officials, the Parklife project, the mascots from Cockton Hill Infant School, and all the players and supporters for making it such a fantastic and successful evening.
“After an unprecedented third victory in a row for the staff, the challenge is there for the students to try and get their own back at next year’s match!”