PUBLISHED
12:00 18th April 2013
Albion fans will once again face their arch rivals Crystal Palace in an annual football match for the Robert Eaton Memorial Fund, a charity which has already raised over £100,000 in the 11 years since it was launched.
Each year fans of the two clubs meet for a hotly-contested match at Lewes FC’s Dripping Pan ground, with every penny raised given to REMF.
The next match takes place tonight (Friday , April 19) at Lewes FC, kick-off 7.45pm and everyone is invited to come along and support. Admission is £5 for adults and £2 for under-16s – or free if accompanied by an adult.
And, as well as Albion legend Peter Ward - who is once again flying in from the United States to play - former Seagulls favourites Ricky Marlowe and Paul Rogers will be lining up in the home squad.
Robert Eaton was a popular Seagulls fan who died tragically during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. He was just 37 at the time and, as news spread of his death, his fellow supporters decided to set up a charity in his name.
Since then REMF has helped fund a string of football clubs and projects both here in Sussex and further afield – including junior clubs in Robert’s adopted home of New York and HIV schemes in Africa.
And last year the charity handed over the keys to a £30,000 minibus to Albion in the Community, which is used by local disabled football clubs to help ferry players to and from matches.
REMF chairman Tony Langridge said, “We have seen in recent weeks how much the rivalry between Brighton and Palace fans still means to people but the REMF has proved that something positive can come out of such a long-standing rivalry.
“The success of the charity would not have been possible without the help of the Crystal Palace fans. They are a credit to their club and we look forward to welcoming them again.
“Robert loved football and he loved the Albion. By coming along to watch the match his fellow Seagulls supporters can do their bit to make sure hundreds of young people get the opportunity to enjoy the game which Robert cared so much about.”
More information on the REMF is available online at HOME - REMF .
Original article