The organiser of a fundraising football match taking place in Belfast next month is hoping the event can break more records.
Former boxer Ciaran McVarnock is the driving force behind the Cystic Fibrosis Charity Match taking place at Seaview in North Belfast on Sunday, July 9.
Many names from the world of boxing and football will don their boots including former Northern Ireland internationals Keith Gillespie and Jim Magilton, alongside Irish League legends Glenn Ferguson, William Murphy, Tim McCann and Gerry Flynn.
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Former boxing stars Ryan Burnett, Paddy Barnes, Anthony Crolla and Barry Jones have also pledged their support for the event, which aims to raise thousands of pounds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Organiser Ciaran last organised the match in 2020 before the onset of Covid-19, and it went on to become the biggest attended Cystic Fibrosis charity event ever held here.
And with more top names confirmed for this year's match, he hopes to raise many more thousands of pounds for the charity.
"The last charity match proved a massive success," Ciaran told Belfast Live.
"Unfortunately we haven't been able to do it since then because of Covid.
"The last time the weather was awful, but we went ahead with it as we had a lot of guests coming across from England and they had booked flights and stuff.
"I always wanted to sell out the big stand at Seaview, and we managed that and had more people in the lower stand. It was a magnificent turnout and we managed to raise just below £9,500.
"The charity actually said to us that it was the biggest event in their history in the whole of Ireland, so it was a great achievement."
Ciaran added: "We have tried to get more big names for this one, so we will have two teams filled with well-known sportspeople and celebrities.
"I obviously have contacts through boxing and football, and I just started asking people. And thankfully everyone said yes.
"We have got some great names already, and we will have Charlie Lawson coming over as one of the managers. That should be fun.
"I have been overwhelmed by the support from everyone. I asked Derry Matthews who ended up asking Jazza Dickens, so it snowballed as we went along."
Ciaran has his own personal story with Cystic Fibrosis as his girlfriend Nicole Adams has battled against the condition and has been campaigning for better treatments in Northern Ireland.
The couple are also expecting their first child later this year.
"Nicole is doing really well," Ciaran said.
"We are expecting our first baby which is exciting. I also have the CF gene so there is a 50-50 chance of the baby being born with Cystic Fibrosis.
"But it is something we are aware of and we are prepared for. Everything is good at the minute and Nicole is getting on with things. She is such a strong person and is loving every minute of it.
"The baby is due in October, so it will soon come around.
"People tell me to enjoy this free time while it lasts, but I have been flat out organising this match and I also have a boxing event coming up at the end of July.
"And I am also doing some boxing coaching in schools, so I am really busy."
The Cystic Fibrosis Charity Football Match is on Sunday, July 9 at 5pm.
It will be £7 for adults and £2 for children which can be paid at the gate.
"The bar will be open and there will be bouncy castles there for kids, and everyone can meet the players as well," Ciaran added.
"We will also have kids playing football at half-time, so it will be a great family day out."
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