Charity football match and fun day in support of Llandudno mum’s cancer journey

A charity football match and family fun day will be held later this month in support of a Llandudno mother receiving treatment for breast cancer. 

An Oldham Athletic XI will take on Welsh Leagues XI, managed by Bangor City 1876 assistant manager Sean Eardley, as part of a day of activities at Llandudno FC’s Go Goodwins Stadium on Sunday 26 April.

The event is being arranged in support of mother-of-one and teacher, Lisa Eardley, from Llandudno, who was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer last year, aged 35.

Funds raised from the event will go to two charities who have treated Lisa over the past seven months – Alaw Ward in Ysbyty Gwynedd, and Maggie’s Centre in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

“I could never thank them enough for the care I’ve been given,” said Lisa, who is deputy head of Ysgol Deganwy.

“I’ve had most of my treatment at Alaw Ward so far and they are amazing people, out of this world. And we’ve started dealing with Glan Clwyd and they are the same. So positive, so caring.

“It was horrific when we had the news, but we’ve also been so lucky to have had the journey we’ve had so far.”

The day has been arranged by football player and coach, Mike Pearson, a long-time friend to Lisa and her husband, Sean.

“Ultimately, you want to try and help people and support people that are close to you. And football, I think, is a great way of doing that,” said Mike.

“Everyone knows how positive Sean and Lisa are. They’re always glass half full, never half empty. So, you know, when something like this happens to somebody like that, I think people really rally together.”

Mike and Sean became friends during their days as youth players at Oldham Athletic around 20 years ago, and their connection remains as strong as ever. 

As a former manager of Llandudno FC and Caernarfon Town, as well as being part of the current Bangor coaching setup, Sean is well known in North Wales footballing circles and his Welsh Leagues XI team will feature a number of players who have benefitted from his leadership.

His brother, former Wales international Neal Eardley, and ex-Oldham legend Chris Taylor are among the players who will take to the field, with many more to be confirmed.

Former Barrow, Airbus UK and Caernarfon defender, Mike added: “With Sean’s kind of experience from his playing days and into management, particularly in Welsh football, football’s an easy way to bring people together and to raise awareness. 

“So I guess there’s two reasons to put this event together. One, because obviously it’s somebody that’s so close to us, Sean being one of my best friends. And then secondly, is that it’s just doing something positive for a good cause.

“When I’ve spoken to the players, the response has been really good. I don’t think there’s anybody that’s said, no, really. I think I’ve probably got enough players to fill three teams.”

As well as the two charities, Lisa and Sean wanted to put on record their gratitude for the schools where they both work, Ysgol Deganwy and Ysgol John Bright, for their support over the past months. They extended their gratitude to Llandudno FC also for staging the event, the club where it all began for Sean and his brother Neal.

Sean Eardley said: “There’s been a lot of players that have played for me in the past and a lot of them have come forward. So it’s a special thanks to them, and to the boys at Oldham as well. They’ve seen Lisa’s story, our story, and there’s been an outpouring of support, really.

“I’m just really happy that they can come down and we can raise some, I think, much needed funds, for Alaw and Maggie’s. They do some great work. 

“We’re just happy that Llandudno Football Club can host that day. It’s a club that’s been a part of my life, my family’s life, and April 26th promises to be a really good day, so it’ll be good to be back.”

The Family Fun Day gets underway at 11am on Sunday 26 April, and will include family activities, games, food, and music, as well as the main event as Sean Eardley’s Welsh League XI take on an Oldham Athletic XI. Kick off 2.00pm.