Footballers from Leamington have had the “momentous and unforgettable experience” of playing at a Premier League stadium thanks to the efforts of a man who was once a teacher in the town.

The match was between a team of players from around Leamington and Whitnash who played against a team of Sunderland AFC supporters at their home ground The Stadium of Light.

The event was organised by Jonathan Blower, whose teaching roles around Warwickshire included being the assistant head and behaviour manager at Campion School before he moved to the North East to take a headship there.

A close-fought contest the Leamington team, made up of some of Jonathan’s former team mates, came away with a 1-0 win.

The Leamington and Whitnash team, with organiser Jonathan Blower (pictured on the right hand side of the team) Bottom left: Leamington Captain Paul 'Stagger' Lee in the centre of the action' Below, right: Jonathan Blower (who organised the event) emerging onto the Sunderland pitch. Below, middle: Leamington Man of the match, Goalkeeper, Pete Fletcher.

placeholder image — The Leamington and Whitnash team, with organiser Jonathan Blower (pictured on the right hand side of the team) Bottom left: Leamington Captain Paul 'Stagger' Lee in the centre of the action' Below, right: Jonathan Blower (who organised the event) emerging onto the Sunderland pitch. Below, middle: Leamington Man of the match, Goalkeeper, Pete Fletcher.

Jonathan said: “Having made enquiries with Sunderland about potentially playing on the pitch, I wasn’t entirely sure if I would hear anything back from them.

“However, just before last Christmas I received a call to inform me that this was a distinct possibility and by February they had confirmed both a date and a time.

"I was both astounded and delighted.”

The teams enjoyed entrance music when they came onto the pitch for the match, which had a professional referee to officiate proceedings.

The Leamington team at the Stadium of Light. Back row (left to right): Chris Jackson, Gregg Horne, Paul Lee (captain), Dave Wills (manager), Rob Scott, Pete Fletcher (man of the match), James Brewitt, Kevin Booth, Andy Berry, Pete Staunton, Jonathan Blower (event organiser and Sunderland player). Front row (left to right): James Pickup (goal scorer), Paul Roberts, Mike Balcar, Dave Burns, Ben Murdoch.

They were also given a tour of the stadium before enjoying a post-match meal at Niall Quinn’s Bar there.

Jonathan said: “I’m so incredibly grateful to all of them for making the 220-mile trip to the North East and also to the lads from Sunderland for providing the opposition.

"Without the efforts and hard work of both the Leamington and Sunderland teams this momentous and unforgettable experience would have never occurred.”