Councillors set to ‘kick-off’ in Labour vs Reform UK charity football game
Councillors from rival political parties in Doncaster will face-off in a five-a-side charity football game, with hopes of raising at least £1,000 for a local charity. v.1
Ten City of Doncaster councillors will lace-up to raise money for Mental Health Football Club CIC (MHFC), a mental health charity based in the city.
Match organiser, Councillor Rob Dennis, Labour, said: “Mental Health FC are great at helping people, particularly men, improve their mental health through football.
“The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) state that one person dies by suicide every 90 minutes. As a group of cross-party councillors, we want to raise funds through this football match to help people in Doncaster access the support they need.”
Doncaster Labour’s line-up is set to include one of the party’s most senior figures, as Coun James Church, a member of Mayor Ros Jones’ cabinet, will take to the field.
The match will kick off at 11.15am on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Goals on Worcester Avenue, Wheatley.
Coun Rachel Reed, the Reform UK Doncaster spokesperson, said: ““The match is a great opportunity to show Doncaster residents that councillors from all sides can and do work together for the good of the city. By raising funds for MHFC, more sessions can be put on for people across Doncaster to enjoy and benefit from.”
It is understood that the Reform UK line-up includes former deputy leader Coun Karl Hughes, Coun Gerald Squire, Coun Rebecca Booth, Coun Isaiah-John Reasbeck and Coun Nick Smith.
The Labour Party team will see Coun Church, Coun Rob Dennis, former civic mayor Coun Tim Needham, Coun Ken Guest and Coun Bob Anderson take to the field.