United for a good cause

Sir Alex Ferguson is urging footballers across the country to take part in a special charity fund-raiser this weekend - and that includes you.

The Manchester United manager took time off from his club's push for the Premiership and Champions League to rally support for Sport Relief 's Pay To Play.

This weekend, players at all levels of the game are being asked to give money to the project which is raising funds for underprivileged children around the world.

Manchester United's stars are among a host of professionals who have agreed to donate some of their wages to the cause.

Chelsea, Fulham, Leeds. Ipswich and Everton are among the other teams to have signed up and here is a chance for your club to take part.

You and your friends can either get sponsored to play, have a whip-round before kickoff or donate your normal weekly subscriptions.

Sir Alex said: "This is a fantastic idea.

"I would urge every football club, whether it's a Premiership team or a small parks team to join.

"Every penny can make a difference and this is a big opportunity for the whole world of sport to show what it can do." There are more than 40,000 football clubs in this country and the Football Association is hoping that as many of them as possible sign up to help this worthy cause.

Sport Relief is the latest fund-raising campaign from Comic Relief and BBC Sport.

Pay To Play is just one of a number of fund-raising initiatives dreamed up for Sport Relief which culminates in a special night on 13 July.

For more information on how to get involved visit the website www.sportrelief.com or for a fund-raising pack call 09068 101010.

Calls will cost no more than £1.50 which covers the cost of printing, postage and packing.