Tens of thousands raised for charity by former non-league stars
MORE than 70 former non-league players from yesteryear will battle it out in a charitable round of golf this weekend.
It is the fourth year running that teams captained by ex-Banbury United man Mark O'Hara and former Oxford City player Steve Jenkins will go head-to-head.
This year's golf day will take place at Oxford Golf Club on Sunday, with 36 players on each side.
Among them include former Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Leicester City midfielder Garry Parker, plus ex-Oxford United and Witney United striker Jamie Cook and former Coventry City midfielder Martin Singleton.
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O'Hara, who is currently losing 2-1 after the first three years, said: 'Years ago, we would kick lumps out of each other, but we've stayed good mates and not one year has anyone not turned up.
'Players of my era didn't miss a game of football. We'd play Tuesday and Saturday, and the Sunday league used to be massive, and we'd just get on with it.
'We'd kick lumps out of each other. It used to be very competitive in the 80s and 90s.'
The annual golf day has raised more than £23,000 for Cancer Research UK, with an additional £6,000 collected this year, including a £4,000 donation from event sponsors Hartwell Automative Group.
O'Hara said: 'Everybody is there for the competition side of it as well, and it's very competitive. Last year, Jenks didn't speak to me for six holes.
'It's a friendly rivalry and we all go out together after. We'll go down the Cowley Road or into Jericho, and there are a few who'll come for the night out after. This year, we'll have the bank holiday the next day to recover though.'
The golf starts at 1pm with evening out to follow at approximately 7pm, when all ex-players will be welcome.
To donate, please visit: fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/marco-and-jenks-ex-non-league-footballers-golf-day-2025
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