READING FC Former Players’ Association (FPA) are holding their second 5-a-side Charity Football Tournament at Goals Soccer Centre in Woodley on Saturday, June 11 from 1pm to 4.30pm.

Last year's winners, Huntswood, have kindly agreed to sponsor the event and, along with Reading FC FPA, they have chosen Reading-based charity Daisy’s Dream and St. Lukes Hospital in Dublin as the beneficiaries of profits raised.

Steve Mills, Risk Director of Huntswood, a specialist, resourcing and consultancy company based in Abbey Street, Reading, said: “It is Huntswood's pleasure to get involved with this event again this year.

"With our Head Office in the town centre and currently employing over 800 people within the local community, we recognise how much the community supports us - and we try to do as much as we can in return in terms of supporting the local community in many different ways.

"Huntswood is also a keen supporter of another fantastic local charity - Daisy's Dream - who do fabulous work providing support to local children and their families affected by life threatening illness or bereavement.

"They will be our chosen charity to benefit from the event.”

Ex-Royals player George Friel, now vice-chairman of the FPA, is helping to organise the tournament.

And Friel explains how the chosen charities are close to his own heart.

“This is the fifth year I have been running a 5-a- side tournament alongside Kate Parkinson mainly for the benefit of the Duchess of Kent House," he said.

"This year half the proceeds will be raising funds for St Lukes Hospital in Dublin who looked after my dad during his treatment for cancer. Sadly he passed away last November.

"Over the years whilst he was in Reading, my dad raised thousands of pounds for various charites.

"When he moved back to Ireland in 2000 he continued fund raising this time for cancer sufferers who had to travel to St. Lukes for treatment. Little did he know he would have to do make the same journey himself.

"It will be a great honour of mine to be able to raise funds to St Lukes in dad's memory”.

The charity 5-a- side tournament is open to a maximum of 24 teams of up to eight players aged 18 years and older.

Each team will enjoy plenty of action as any who fail to get through the qualifying rounds will be entered into a plate competition.

The tournament winners will also have the opportunity to play a team of ex-Reading FC players in an exhibition match.

Hot and cold refreshments will be available throughout the day.

To register your team go to www.readingfcformerplayers.co.uk