Leeds United fan's fundraising team on Sky Sports Soccer AM show

A Leeds United fan's fundraising football team named in memory of his late best friend  rubbed shoulders with  celebrity whites fans on Sky Sports show Soccer AM.
Darren Powell pictured (second from right) with fellow players from The Kews and Leeds boxing champion Josh Warrington.Darren Powell pictured (second from right) with fellow players from The Kews and Leeds boxing champion Josh Warrington.
Darren Powell pictured (second from right) with fellow players from The Kews and Leeds boxing champion Josh Warrington.

Six players from The Kews appeared alongside boxing champion and fellow United fan Josh Warrington on the popular show on Saturday (Feb 22).

Former Leeds player Alex Bruce was also on the show, along with York-based indie rock band Skylights - who are big Leeds United fans.

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Darren Powell of Kettlethorpe, Wakefield, travelled to the Whites’ home and away matches with Michael Kew, before he lost his cancer battle aged 40 in April 2015.

Darren Powell (left) with fellow players from The Kews and Soccer AM presenter John 'Fenners' Fendley (third from left).Darren Powell (left) with fellow players from The Kews and Soccer AM presenter John 'Fenners' Fendley (third from left).
Darren Powell (left) with fellow players from The Kews and Soccer AM presenter John 'Fenners' Fendley (third from left).

After his friend’s death, Mr Powell vowed to raise £100,000 for charities and good causes in Mr Kew’s memory.

So far he has raised £64,000 for a number of causes by organising charity football matches involving his team, The Kews.

Mr Powell, 34, said he was delighted to be invited on to Soccer AM after firing off around 20 emails to the show over a three-year period.

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He said The Kews enjoyed the experience, despite failing to score a goal in the Soccer AM Top Bin challenge.

Daren Powell (right) with The Kews players an  members of band Skylights on the Soccer AM show.Daren Powell (right) with The Kews players an  members of band Skylights on the Soccer AM show.
Daren Powell (right) with The Kews players an members of band Skylights on the Soccer AM show.

The show's presenters John 'Fenners' Fendley and Jimmy Bullard signed a The Kews T shirt, which will be auctioned at their next charity match.

Josh Warrington also signed the shirt.

Mr Powell said: "It was a dream come true to go in the studios and see how they do it all. It was an amazing experience and all the lads were absolutely over the moon with it."

Mr Powell appeared on the Soccer AM show with fellow The Kews players Darren Walker, Gareth Wilkes, Neil Birkinshaw, Daniel Smith and Stephen Hey.

The Kews players with Soccer AM presenter JImmy BullardThe Kews players with Soccer AM presenter JImmy Bullard
The Kews players with Soccer AM presenter JImmy Bullard
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The Kews were due to play The Chagos Islands football team in Ossett earlier this month, but the game was called off due to bad weather.

The Chagos Islands have qualified for the CONIFA (Confederation of Independent Football Associations) World Cup in Skopje, Macedonia, later this summer.

On June 21, The Kews will take part in a rematch with Emmerdale star and Liverpool fan Danny Miller’s own team for the charity Once Upon a Smile at Liverpool’s home ground Anfield.

It comes after Miller’s side - which has featured fellow actor Thomas Turgoose, of This is England fame, and Daniel Jillings, who appeared in Hollyoaks - beat The Kews 7-5 at Ossett United’s Ingfield Stadium last June

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More than 1,300 people turned out to watch that game, raising more than £4,000 split between Macmillan Cancer Support and Once Upon a Smile, which offers emotional and practical assistance to bereaved families.