Let battle commence for cabbies

From the archive, first published Tuesday 24th Apr 2007.

CAB drivers in Castle Point are swapping fares for football as they stretch their legs in a charity game.

Taxi drivers and controllers from Canvey firms Steve's and ABC, as well as drivers from other companies, will take part in the match on Sunday at Canvey Football Club's Park Lane ground.

The beneficiary will be Havens Hospices, but there's a slight twist - if Steve's Taxis win, the money will go to Southend-based Fair Havens, but if the winners are ABC, the cash will head to Little Havens in Thundersley.

It is the third year running that the rival taxi firms have gone head to head, and organisers are hoping they can beat the total of £1,300 they raised last year.

The event's organiser, James O'Brien, 51, from May Avenue, Canvey, will be taking the field for Steve's Taxis.

He said: "Everyone is looking forward to it.

"The only problem is we are all so old! One of the drivers is 59 and another is 60 but it is all about enjoying it. We are hoping for a big crowd there and we are grateful to Canvey Football Club for donating the use of their ground."

As well as the football, post-match entertainment will be provided by an Elvis lookalike and a Neil Diamond tribute.

Admission costs £1 and the match will kick off at 2pm.