Over the past few weeks more than 40 dads and friends have raised more than £7,500 for four different children’s charities by playing in the annual Dadsonthepitch matches.

The competition is usually held in Watford’s Vicarage Road but this year the group decided to play the two matches at Stadium MK and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.

The players are all involved with Bushey and Oxhey FC and Garston Ladies.

Organiser Andy Hemington said: “Without the help and support of so many parents at this football club events like this would not happen.

“The club have a dinner dance on July 9 where an auction is hoped to push the final figure raised past £8,000 and the overall total since we started in mid 2013 to more than £30,000.”

The first game at the home of MK Dons saw the game end 4-2 to Joseph Scott despite two goals from Axiom Stone’s Paul Little.

Mr Little has just taken over as chairman of Bushey and Oxhey FC and still plays regularly two or three times a week.

He said: “It was great fun despite losing, we hope to have Watford legend Lloyd Doyley playing for us next year as his son is in my junior team.”

The second game at Stadium of Light was the large venue for a Dadsonthepitch match with the winning team coming out with 11-5.

Over the previous years they have played at Norwich FC, Reading FC, Leyton Orient, Stevenage, Colchester as well as Vicarage Road three times.

The majority of the money raised will go to the children’s charities Dreamfight and Action for Kids whilst 20 per cent is shared between Great Ormond Street Hospital and Children with Cancer UK.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at www.virginmoneygiving.com/dadsonthepitch