Students thrash teachers

11:20am Monday 17th March 2008

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SIXTH formers beat their teachers 5-0 in a charity football match at St Albans City's home ground.

Verulam School's first eleven took on a team of teachers in the Mills Match, a tribute to Verulam pupil Ollie Mills who died suddenly from a brain tumour in 2005, aged 18.

Spurring on both teams from the sidelines at Clarence Park Stadium on Friday were former Arsenal full-back and Match of the Day pundit Lee Dixon along with Watford defender Danny Shittu.

While the aspiring school team demonstrated their footballing skills to the soccer stars, teachers battled to keep up with their young opponents.

In the last Mills Match two years ago £2,400 was raised for a teenage cancer charity and the students trounced the staff 5-2.

Teachers once again wallowed in self pity at their defeat of five goals to nil and a staggering £2,600 has been raised so far for the Teenage Cancer Trust's new £2m cancer ward for young people at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

Ollie's mother Sarah Mills said the match was a fitting tribute to her son who lived and breathed football.

He was the school's footy captain from year seven and remained a loyal Spurs supporter throughout his life.

Ollie was also planning to enrol in a sports journalism course at university before his tragic and premature death.

She said: "We're delighted that Verulam is once again raising money for the trust in memory of Ollie.

"For us it seems like yesterday he died, but it's nice to know others still remember him three years on."

Lee Dixon, who placed his bets on a student victory, said: "I did hear about Ollie's death in 2005 and it seems like five minutes ago and all of a sudden three years have gone by.

"I support national charities, but it's always nice to be able to lend a hand to somewhere local."

Verulam school headteacher David Kellaway added: "Today we are remembering people who are no longer with us and we are also trying to put something back by thinking of other people and people who need that help and support - it's everything that Verulam is all about."