Nick Knowles manages match for veterans charity

The football match involved rugby players, football players and celebrities - some of whom may have never played before

A charity that using rugby to help military veterans has held a charity football match with celebrities and rugby and football players.

Rugby For Heroes - based in Cheltenham - held Battle of the Balls at Shaftesbury Park in Bristol.

TV presenter Nick Knowles managed The World of Rugby side, while The World of Football side was managed by actor Jason Burrill.

Burrill's side won the match 9-2.

The charity uses rugby as a way to aid veterans to transition back into civilian life.

The football match with rugby players, football players and celebrities who play neither was held last year as well - with Knowles involved as was Mike Tindall MBE.

For 2024, Chet Johnson - known by Chet Sket on social media - was the celebrity captain of the World of Football team.

He said he has played in a lot of charity matches before, but explained this one was exciting as his "friends in rugby have told me there's some absolute rugby royalty".

Mr Johnson had not heard of the charity before, but read up on it before the event and said that sport can help people a lot: "Anything active always helps with your mental health."

'Have a laugh'

Gareth Kelly - part of musical collective Bad Boy Chiller Crew - was in the same team and said he had almost no sporting experience going into it.

"It's mixing two sports into one. Different sizes, people with different staminas and backgrounds, clashing on one pitch.

"As long as you have a laugh and it's for a good cause."

Mr Kelly explained he enjoyed doing things for charity: "I think that's the beauty of it all - it's not a pristine match, it's everyone giving it their all."

Other names who played included rugby players Zinzan Brookes and Mark Atkinson along with former Bristol City footballers Scott Murray, Louis Carey, Joe Burnell and Colin Cramb.