Four former Everton players have been announced to take part in the Charity Match for the Southport families taking place at Southport Football Club this weekend.
The community event this Sunday (3rd August 2025), a day of hope and healing, is organised by Southport Hesketh Round Table and Southport Football Club. Kick off is 3pm.
All money raised will go towards the Southport families impacted by last summer’s tragedy.
A Southport Football Club spokesperson said: “We are excited to announce four more ex-Everton players to feature in our upcoming charity match: Stuart Barlow, Gareth Farrelly, James Vaughan and Jose Baxter.
“All add to a growing cast of stars who are all part of a great cause as we support 24 families directly affected by the tragic events of 29th July 2024. The Charity Match takes place on August 3rd with all profits going towards these families.
“You can buy tickets here: here
“Firstly, Barlow joined Everton at age 21, having played at Sunday League level until that point. During his time at Everton he became part of the 1994/95 FA Cup winning side, managed by Joe Royle, who is set to attend our Charity Match. He scored 10 goals during his spell, before successful stints at Oldham Athletic and Wigan Athletic, winning the Football League Trophy in 1998/99 with the latter.
“Barlow then joined Tranmere Rovers in 2000, scoring the winning goal in an FA Cup fifth round replay against Premier League side Southampton, a game that Tranmere had trailed 3-0 at half time. He also spent time with Stockport County, Bury, Morecambe, and Fleetwood Town, as well as a stint with Southport, eventually joining Bamber Bridge before retiring in 2009.
Joining Barlow in our Charity Match, is Gareth Farrelly. Farrelly signed for Aston Villa at the age of just 16, before joining Everton in 1997. At Everton, he scored the goal to retain their Premier League status on the final day of the 1997/98 season against Coventry City.
“He would then join Bolton in 1999, helping to win promotion to the Premier League in 2001, scoring in the play-off final.
“Farrelly would be loaned out to Rotherham United, Burnley and Bradford City, before joining Wigan Athletic in 2004, eventually returning to his home country with Bohemians in 2004 as player-manager, where he spent 2 seasons. He would then also play at Blackpool, Cork City, Morecambe and Warrington Town.
“The third ex-Everton player to be announced is James Vaughan. Born in Birmingham, James is a retired professional footballer, having played for a range of teams across the English Football Pyramid. The forward joined Everton at nine years old, rising all the way through to make his first-team debut in 2005. James is the youngest ever Premier League goalscorer, netting on debut at just 16 years and 270 days old. After spending six seasons with the first-team, James moved on to join Norwich City in 2011.
“Then moving on to play for the likes of Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City and Bradford City, he would finish his career at Tranmere Rovers, retiring at the age of 32 in May 2021.
Finally, Jose Baxter completes our big announcement. The former professional footballer was primarily an attacking-midfielder, starting out at Everton’s Academy at age six. Jose debuted for the Toffees at just 16 years old, becoming Everton’s then-youngest-ever player. He then featured for Tranmere Rovers, Oldham Athletic and Sheffield United.
“Jose made a move to Memphis901 FC in the USL Championship in 2020, where he would then retire later that year.
“Make sure to grab your tickets to this event as we aim to bring the community together. Tickets are still available through our website and app, or by clicking here.
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