The WBG Story
The Worlds Biggest Game (WBG) is the brainchild of Andrew Barnett, chairman of the Midland Junior Premier Football League (MJPFL), who along with his fellow event co-ordinator Wayne Henley, have worked tirelessly to turn the WBG dream into reality.
The original purpose of the event was to help MJPFL clubs generate their own sponsorship funds and raise their local profile, to enable them to deliver first class development centres for teenagers.
Then we thought - why keep such an amazing idea to ourselves?
So we are encouraging as many people as possible, not just the MJPFL community, to be part of the WBG story – to make a difference just by organising a game of footy.
It has been an incredible journey – from discussions with the smallest of grassroots clubs to the upper echelons of British society at the House of Lords.
The result will be to break the World Record for the most people ever to participate in one football match on 6 December 2008 and raise as much money as possible in the process.
Andrew Barnett said: “I would like to thank all the people who have helped to get the WBG off the ground, with special thanks from the WBG project team to Brian Seymour-Smith and his staff at West Bromwich Building Society for their continued support and encouragement.”
Our Team
Andrew Barnett - Co-ordinator
Business communication consultant Andrew Barnett is a familiar face in Midlands community football. He is chairman of the Midland Junior Premier Football League and involved with several local projects including Worcestershire Disability FC; Kidderminster Harriers Football in the Community FC; Our Way Advocacy; Worcester College of Technologyaand West Midlands Ability Counts League . – Committee Member (500+ players).
Wayne Henley - Co-ordinator
Online systems developer Wayne Henley has been developing successful electronic management systems for both UK and blue chip international companies for over 20 years.
Currently one of his main responsibilities is the MJPFL groundbreaking online governance system used by all team & club officials.
Chris Green - Media consultant
Midlands-based author, broadcaster and media consultant Chris Green has been a journalist for 18 years. He was Senior English Editor at the official Beijing 2008 Olympic Games website; is an award-winning BBC radio producer and the author of three critically-acclaimed football books. In October 2008, Chris set up his media consultancy – Chris Green Media (chris@chrisgreenmedia.co.uk) and is delighted to be involved with WBG.
Cyrille Regis, MBE - Sporting ambassador
Quite simply, former England player Cyrille Regis is a football legend. A pioneering black British footballer and rags to riches centre-forward, Cyrille played five times for England and won an FA Cup Winners medal with Coventry City in 1987. Cyrille was awarded an MBE in November 2008 for his immense contribution to football and his charitable work.