As Macclesfield FC won their opening pre-season 3-1 friendly away at Longridge Town, there was another reason to celebrate back at the Leasing.com Stadium.

A fundraising football match for research of an incurable blood cancer was held, and an incredible five-figures sum was raised.

300 people attended the game on Saturday July 2, and a whopping £12,000 was raised for cancer charity Myeloma UK.

Macclesfield FC's Owner Rob Smethurst even took part, playing for a team which boasted over 363 Premier League appearances combined.

It was an afternoon of big numbers, as eight goals were scored. (Image - Macclesfield FC)

Wilmslow resident John Birtwistle came up with the charity football match idea, after his friend Simon Cowlard was diagnosed with myeloma earlier this year.

"It was an incredibly high scoring game and finished at 6-2 to the ex-professional team," said John.

"The Hollyoaks team had plenty of shots on goal and we're unlucky not to score more than two.

"Ex-pro Michael Brown managed to score 2 goals, and Gary Caldwell played in defence for 90 minutes, which is incredible considering he's had bilateral total hip replacements!

Former Manchester United, Sheffield United and Portsmouth striker Danny Webber is on the ball. (Image - Macclesfield FC)

"We raised an estimated £12,000 for Myeloma UK which was very moving and far beyond our expectations.

"We received an incredible £5,000 from Matt Moulding from The Hut Group (who also played in the game with his two son's Max and Charlie).

"I am extremely grateful to everyone who came along to support the match and donated so generously.

"This has been a great boost for Simon who has been through chemotherapy and is about to have a bone marrow transplant.

OWNERS KICK: Macclesfield FC's Rob Smethurst prepares a strike. (Image - Macclesfield FC)

"I'd like to thank everybody involved especially Rob Smethurst, owner of the club for the use of Macclesfield's Leasing.com Stadium and Ashley Taylor Dawson and Nick Pickard for bringing the Hollyoaks celebrity cast team."

The teams were as follows:

TEAM Ex Pros

Michael Brown

Gary Caldwell

Danny Webber

David Fox

Dan Cowan (who is from Macclesfield)

Jody Banim

Felix Senga

Also featuring...

Rob Smethurst (Owner of Macclesfield FC)

Nick Bianchi (Of Arighi Bianchi)

Matt Moulding (CEO The Hut Group)

Max Moulding

Charlie Moulding

Danny Taylor (of Macclesfield FC)

Paul Bradley

Matt Townley

Nick Jackson

TEAM Hollyoaks

Ash Taylor Dawson

Nick Pickard

Mathew James Bailey

Frank Kauer

Charlie Behan

Rishi Nair

Jaimey Lomas

Boogie Moli

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown scored a brace. (Image - Macclesfield FC)

While the match is over, you can still donate here.

On average, 16 people are diagnosed with myeloma every day in the UK.

Macclesfield: You can find a list of symptoms here, and find more about Simon's story here.

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