Engineering company beaten in footy match versus fans and pro players

An engineering company has been defeated in its annual football match against a team consisting of fans and professional players.

Kershaw Group has been a shirt sponsor of Conference Premier League side Cambridge United for a record eight years.

Every year it plays a match at the club’s ground against club staff, officials and players.

This year Cambridge United invited fans to join their team, for the match at the Abbey Stadium on Monday 6th April.

The elite Kershaw team was beaten 4-1.

Ian Greenstock is the sales director of Kershaw Group, and said: “This was the footballing battle of the year, and even though we lost we put in a very good performance.

“There’s a lot of footballing talent in Kershaw and we played a smart game. But on the night the passion of the fans backed up by the talent of the pros gave them the edge.

“Now we’ve got another 12 months to get better... maybe this time next year we can beat the Cambridge United team on their own pitch.”

Cambridge United’s manager Gary Brabin was one of the professional players on the night.

Kershaw Group has its head office in Cambridge, and can track parts of its history back to 1887.

Divisions include metal roofing and cladding firm T R Freeman and mechanical services company Kershaw Mechanical Services.

The group is always heavily involved in the local community, especially as a shirt sponsor of Cambridge United.