Ray Kennedy Day - Saturday April 5th.

Last updated : 03 April 2008 By Steve Goodwin
Due to the early kick off, the Rocket will also open earlier: The downstairs bar will open at 10:30am & upstairs (the new chill out zone with more seats) will open at 11am. We will have the usual great beer prices on offer - plus those all-important 4-pint Kronenbourg 1664 Pitchers @ £10 each.

"The March" will leave at 12:25 once our in house "Elvis Paul" has done his "Wonder of You". So why not join us before the game for a few early beers & then March together?

After the game, we will have Donation buckets on the door & are suggesting a £1 donation per person to come into the Rocket. We will be selling raffle tickets throughout the day as well as an auction. We will be running a sweepstake for the big days race; The Grand National - which will be shown Live on the big screens at 4:15, so make sure you buy some raffle tickets & a sweepstake ticket. Some time after the Grand National, Perry Groves will be joining us to draw the raffle & to host the auction.

Raffle Items:

1st Prize: Signed Photo of Ray Kennedy

2nd Prize: Signed Arsenal 2005 Year Book + Signed Squad Photo 03/04

3rd Prize: 10 x "Drinks Tokens" for the Rocket Bar

Auction Items:

Lot 1: Arsenal Greatest Moments book signed by various players

Lot 2: Signed Arsenal away shirt, signed by Ray Kennedy

Grand National Sweepstake details:

40 runners - £5 per entry - £200 total money taken. 1st - £75, 2nd - £35, 3rd - £25, 4th - £15.

Total winnings paid out - £150. £50 donation towards the Ray Kennedy fund.

Ray Kennedy, a true Arsenal legend, is struggling with Parkinson's Disease. Ray's illness deprived him not only of his health but of his livelihood. He was robbed of the chance to make a living through the media or as a coach - a pity given that he has won everything in the game and would assumedly know more than a few people who occupy those roles today. Ray Kennedy is essentially a private man who would not like to complain about his condition or the turn his life has made since his diagnosis.

Arsenal and Liverpool fans who know him of old would not be surprised by this as Ray's demeanour has always been that of a dignified and stoical man. The only downside of this is that he has shrunk from public view since his testimonial in 1991. Both Arsenal and Liverpool Football clubs have helped Ray financially in the past, as has the Arsenal ex-player trust. REDaction are therefore delighted that today gives Arsenal fans a genuine opportunity to help out the man that scored that all important goal at White Hart Lane back in May 1971. 100% of the money raised will be paid direct to Ray Kennedy.

Thank you to Sue Campbell of Arsenal FC, The Rocket & Retro-Reds (Liverpool fans group) for the kind donations for today.