What a day! That was the general sentiment following the long-awaited Bank Holiday weekend clash between Thanet XI and Garden of England – two charity teams founded in 2022 for the purpose of overcoming misconceptions around autoimmune illness and invisible disability.

In the founding match, Thanet XI emerged victorious in an exciting 6-3 game which would prove to be more balanced than on paper. Garden of England had the stars in their favour, however several counter-attacks pivoted the day to Thanet. Fast-forward to 24th May though and £1,088.93 in total was raised for Cancer Research UK across both the JustGiving page and at the gate, by 311 spectators – even more than some of Margate’s home games across 24/25!

For those unfamiliar with the format, the finest array of Sunday League regulars got called up a few months back, except this time around there would be a huge new incentive to deliver. Six household names of the Premier League would be joining them. Following an unforgettable display in the previous game by Jamaican national team hero Kevin Lisbie, many reputable icons turned their eyes to the foundation. Jeremie Aliadiere was the first to take on the challenge. Next, West Ham’s holding midfielder of the 2000’s, Hayden Mullins, put his name in the hat. Then business really picked up. Matthew Upson, Jamie O’Hara, Pascal Chimbonda…! And thus, Thanet XI and Garden of England welcomed some scintillating ballers to their squads, all of which we grew up watching, and some even inspired us to try and do what they do. Along with the acquisition of YouTube unit WheresMyChallenge making their way from Southampton, was Hythe-based returning playmaker Sammy Evison with his Knuckleball twin and Counting House resident DJ Charlie in tow – and of course Thanet XI’s last-minute recruitment of Arsenal legend Perry Groves as the head coach. The star-studded lineup simply raised the temperature to boiling point.

As the hundreds of spectators took their seats, gameplans were forged. For the challengers, a flat and direct 4-4-2. Many returning faces would kick this game off, including Jimmy Setterfield, Haden Plank and captain Jay Zannetti. Right-back Aaron Hollands would feature, having missed out on the prior game due to injury, and finally in the first XI, newcomers Ryan Vincent, Ryan Young and ‘The Cuban Crisis’ Joey Steers take to the field. 

Lewis Levy and Harry Ley were notably accompanied by Paul Parker – he was credited with an honorary spot in the team to commemorate his influence following his untimely passing in January 2024. 

Perry Groves would opt for a similar structure, albeit with a more fluid tactical method. The defensive line, consisting of Matthew Upson, Tom Balsom, Jonny Gilbert and Liam Goldsmith, were encouraged to build play from deep, with Jamie O’Hara tasked with cutting back and lending a hand. Side-midfielders, Luke Jeys and Josh Ring, would provide cover for 6-a-side sensation Kieran Fleet to freely operate as a false-9, to serve up opportunities for strikers Hennessey and Jenkin. Effective reinforcements like Kevin Lisbie, Jack Butterworth and Harvey Dooney would remain on standby for a quick impact if in a dire situation. 

The first goal of the game arrived in a flash with Arsenal invincible Jeremie Aliadiere breaking the deadlock in the 4th minute. Ryan Jenkin was presented with a handful of clear chances to pull level but narrowly missed the target. Come the 15th minute, a pinpoint Jake Marley corner landed gracefully at the feet of Hayden Mullins, who slotted home goal number two. Now on the back foot, Thanet XI applied their speed on the break and broke through the no-nonsense defence of Garden, with Wes Hennessey narrowing the deficit. A chance at redemption seemed nigh, however heads would drop as an untimely clash from Kain McGrath into Jeremie Aliadiere saw a spot-kick cleanly converted by Josh Lowther – as if there were any doubt. Kevin Lisbie once again penned his name onto the #ibdvisible scoresheet with a 25-yard bullet, which phased stopper Ryan Vincent, and with the heat and tension climbing rapidly before the halfway whistle, a surprise off-field incident left Thanet XI jaded and demoralised. Firstly, a drop-ball was suddenly scored by Aliadiere, and less than 50 seconds later, the French finisher would complete his hat-trick to bring us to the interval, at Thanet 2-5 Garden. Vengeance was surely on their hands after a 3-year hiatus.

Gallery

Returning from the break, both keepers would be rotated, with hometown hero Lee Strutt of quadruple-winning Kings United FC between the posts for Thanet XI and internet skillster Charlie Evison covering for Ryan Vincent. The likes of George Hogg, Calum Linksted and Charlie Barton would also enter play – all talents capable of initiating a switch in dynamic on any day. Thanet XI were much more conservative in possession from the get-go, as Jamie O’Hara drove the ball long into the path of TFM’s very own Russel Goldsmith, who sent it past Evison into the far corner. Could the comeback be on the horizon? Any lingering suggestions of a return to form for Thanet XI would be quashed though, as Danny Caller’s spectacular vision allowed him to force an opening from his own back line. He hammered the ball long, directly to Jake Marley, who slid between McGrath and Ring and dinked it over Strutty’s head. In quick succession, Aliadiere would assist Luke Calder in slamming the ball past Strutt, and in under sixty seconds yet again, Garden of England were coasting at 7-3.

It’s fair to assume Thanet XI couldn’t remain engaged in the proceedings with motivation dwindling. Chimbonda and Aliadiere wreaked havoc with their partnership, confidence oozing. Josh Ring would dispossess the Gunner before Luke Calder scooped up the opening and powered home. A sloppy mis-kick from the returning Gilbert allowed Thanet XI’s former asset Charlie Barton to rocket a long-range finesse shot effortlessly into the top corner, their former talisman haunting them deep beyond recovery. In what many called the goal of the game, that picturesque conversion put the nail in the coffin. A few final attempts from the likes of Lewis Burke and Ryan Jenkin proved futile, as after 90 riveting minutes, the ref’s whistle sounded one last time to put it to bed. Garden of England, your 2025 #IBDvisible champions, in an overall dominating performance.

The Thanet Lions organisation would declare Thanet’s first-half goalie Luke Ronchetti as Man of the Match. Although five were conceded during his time on the pitch, he prevented several more chances, and the Lions felt his commitment in remaining composed when a few questionable goals went in from dead-balls, cemented him as a pioneer in their spirit.

Jay Zannetti would be the man to raise the cup aloft in a game where many players had their moments to shine. For Lewis and Harry, they did their brother Pauly proud in a bittersweet scene. Many of the roster brought their A-game to legends from their favourite teams, and with Cancer Research UK honoured in commendable fashion, many must feel a best-of-3 must be contested in the future. 

And honestly, the organisers feel the same way. The boys put on an amazing show for the spectators who banded together for a match-day which will be remembered for a long time to come. 

final score:

tHANET xi 3-9 Garden Of England

Goalscorers:

Thanet XI: Hennessey 23, Lisbie 38, R.Goldsmith 50

GOE: Aliadiere 4 44 45, Mullins 15, Lowther (p) 31, Marley 60, Calder 61 67, Barton 78