AN Alton sports therapist played a key role in this year’s Soccer Aid charity football match at Old Trafford, which raised a whopping £5.5m for Unicef.

James Chuter, clinic manager operations director for Allsports Therapy, was part of the team providing medical and physiotherapy cover for Robbie Williams’ England team, captained by Olly Murs, in a friendly yet fiercely competitive game against Usain Bolt’s World XI.

Held on June 10 at the home of Manchester United, the game ended in a win for England after a 3-3 draw resulted in a penalty shootout, with the deciding goal coming from Blake Harrison, who plays Neil in Channel 4 comedy The Inbetweeners.

Filmed by ITV, the match provided an exciting precursor to the World Cup coverage, with a packed stadium cheering on the stars who hailed from the world of sport, stage and screen.

For James, 31, it was an amazing experience which began with coverage of two days training in London before moving up to Manchester for the match, staying at the same hotels as the star-studded line-up and joining in the fun.

Recently married, the Holybourne man normally spends part of the week working as a sports therapist for Fulham Football Club and the rest working at Allsports Therapy in Alton.

Based at Result’s Health Club on Alton High Street, the clinic comprises a team of six therapists providing injury assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and sports massage, as well as on-site gym training led by Mr Chuter, who has more than 10 years’ valuable experience in the fitness and healthcare industry.

It was that, and his experience with Fulham, that made him a dead ringer for the glamorous job of making sure the celebrity players remained in one piece throughout training and the match.

It’s initiative launched by singer Robbie Williams who, as an ambassador for Unicef recognised the potential of Soccer Aid in raising necessary funds for the international charity, and it has done exactly that.

In an online statement, the former member of Take That, said: “Over the last 12 years, the £24m raised through Soccer Aid has helped Unicef be there for more children than any other humanitarian organisation.

“We’ve provided life-saving food, vaccines, clean water and protection from violence to millions of children around the world. But the job’s not done.

“Too many babies still don’t get the chance to grow and develop properly, and children still lose their families, homes and schools because of wars and disasters.

“This Soccer Aid, with your help, we can make sure that more children get the chance at a happy, healthy and safe childhood.”