Close shave for soccer club's charity

O'Connor was one of several players who spent a month growing beards for charity, but returned to their usual appearances yesterday.

Doncaster Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll and players including O'Connor, James Chambers and Mark Wilson decided to stage the stunt in March to raise money for the NSPCC.

Another charity, Right to Play, will also receive cash, and supporters are still being urged to donate money through the Doncaster Rovers website.

The NSPCC is Doncaster Rovers' nominated charity and the club said it had raised "large sums of money" since launching the partnership with the cause last year.

Rovers wore green and white hooped shirts, the colours of the NSPCC, in the final home game of last season as part of another fundraising effort to raise money.

Defender James Chambers said he felt it was important to also support Right to Play and added: "The charity helps disadvantaged children across the world, in war zones and deprived countries."

Picture Chris Lawton