Virgin Atlantic to be official Sponsor of FA Cup re-match in aid of Leukaemia charities

Virgin Atlantic has been appointed as the official sponsor of The 1990 FA Cup re-match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United, which takes place at Selhurst Park Stadium on the 6 April 2006, with a kick-off time of 19:45.

The charity match is former Crystal Palace captain, Geoff Thomas’ testimonial and will be a re-enactment of the famous 1990 FA Cup final with the original players and managers taking part. Steve Coppell will lead out Crystal Palace with the legendary line-up including Geoff Thomas, Ian Wright, Mark Bright, and Nigel Martyn. Sir Alex Ferguson will lead out the former Manchester United team which includes nineties favourites – Bryan Robson, Brian McClair, Mark Hughes and Gary Pallister.

Virgin Atlantic was the sponsor of Crystal Palace at the time of the original match. The re-match is in aid of Leukaemia charities, which helped to save former England and Crystal Palace footballer, Geoff Thomas’ life when he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia three and a half years ago. The match is in partnership with hosts, Crystal Palace Football Club, who have given Geoff Thomas their support for his appeal. 

Geoff Thomas commented, “Virgin Atlantic's support of this game is fantastic and is a huge boost to the game. The sponsorship will really help leukaemia sufferers who are not as fortunate as me.

"I’m really thrilled to have had such great support from both clubs and so many famous individuals. Even 16 years on, I’m sure the match will be fiercely competitive with the likes of Mark Hughes, Ian Wright and Bryan Robson taking part. It’s my ambition to sell out Selhurst Park and raise money for those people I have met still battling with this terrible disease."

Geoff has been inspired by Lance Armstrong and has already raised over £170,000 by completing the 2,200 mile Tour de France last summer. He next plans to compete in the Race Across America (RAAM) – one of the world’s toughest endurance cycling races in June of this year. Geoff’s four-man team will ride night and day through 14 US states to reach Atlantic City in less than 10 days.

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