• More than £404k raised for Nordoff Robbins, adding to £7 million total previously donated
• Robin van Persie goal voted goalscorers’ favourite

A host of Premier League stars and legends, including Ryan Giggs, Alan Shearer and Michael Owen, came together at last night’s Legends of Football event to celebrate 25 seasons of the Premier League and raise money for music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins.

Last night marked the 21st year of the Legends of Football Dinner, previously known as the hmv Football Extravaganza. This event has to date raised more than £7 million for Nordoff Robbins – the UK’s leading music therapy charity dedicated to changing the lives of vulnerable and isolated people. The charity supports thousands of people with a wide range of needs and challenges, and last night a further £404k was raised through ticket sales, auctions and sponsorship to support the vital work that it does.

This year’s event celebrated 25 Seasons of the Premier League and marked the achievements of the “100 Club” - the exclusive group of 25 players who have scored a century or more Premier League goals. Each of the players nominated what they thought to be their best Premier League goal, and the players then voted on which of those 25 was the best goal overall.   Robin van Persie‘s goal for Man Utd against Aston Villa won the vote and he was given Premier League 100 Club Greatest Goal Award.

Of his accolade, he said “It's a huge honour. Especially because it is picked by players from the hardest league in the world. It is so difficult against any team in the Premier League. When I was a little boy I didn't think of standing here, I just wanted to play football. 

With a goal like that it takes a bit of courage really as you don't know what's going to happen”

The event also paid tribute to and celebrated the game’s greatest players and managers, remembering historic goals and saves, and the heartaches and heroes who have helped to shape 25 amazing seasons of the Premier League.  

Images from the night can be accessed here: http://marshall.photoshelter.com/gallery/Legends-of-Football-2016-Media-access/G0000Y0PW6X3fXXc/C0000tJq4N.kcddQ - Generic password: lof2016login

One honouree, Dion Dublin came to visit Nordoff Robbins ahead of the event to experience music therapy first-hand. He said: “Coming here was a real eye opener. Watching the session I did and seeing what the children are getting out of it – to them it’s a huge part of their life now. If I was to talk to someone about why they should support Nordoff Robbins I would say you are making a difference – this whole place is just itching to help people, so don’t wait around”

Alan Shearer OBE DL, says: “I always look forward to this event, it’s a cracking night out and for a really good cause too.  It was good to catch up with some of the members of the “100 club” and discuss when we will host one for the 200 club!”

Whilst Sir Alex Ferguson himself describes the annual event as “the best charity dinner in the football calendar”. 

Premier League Executive Chairman, Richard Scudamore, said: “The Premier League is proud to help put on the Legends of Football event each year to raise money for Nordoff Robbins. The members of the 100 Club were duly recognised for the role they’ve played during the Premier League’s 25 seasons and I hope every football fan in the room tonight enjoyed looking back on some of the great goals as much as I did.”

The evening has been supported for much of its two-decade history by hmv, and Legends of Football Chairman Brian McLaughlin just recently announced that the entertainment retailer has extended its headline sponsorship for a further three years. Paul McGowan, Chief Executive Hilco Capital, which owns hmv, comments: “hmv helped found this event and we are proud to continue this remarkable partnership, which has done so much to support the vital work of Nordoff Robbins while also celebrating the shared passions that exist between football and music and entertainment. We congratulate all of our honourees this evening for all of their achievements.” 

Brian McLaughlin, Chairman of The Legends of Football, adds: “That the Legends of Football event has grown into one of the biggest and most enjoyable fundraisers in the calendar is due in large measure to the generosity of our footballing and entertainment communities. I am especially grateful to hmv and Hilco, the Premier League, Geoff Shreeves and Sky Sports, PPL and the Legends of Football Fundraising Committee for their continued support.  We are also hugely appreciative of all the individuals and organisations who attended this year’s event and have helped to contribute to the vital music therapy work of Nordoff-Robbins.”

Julie Whelan, CEO of Nordoff Robbins says: “We are so proud to be part of the Legends of Football Dinner – as a charity we rely on the events like these to help us continue our life changing work; we will be eternally grateful for every penny which has been raised for us through the Legends of Football Dinner and we thank everyone involved for their invaluable support. Congratulations from us all at Nordoff Robbins to all those honoured tonight!”

About hmv – http://www.hmv.com/ @hmvtweets      

Established in 1921, hmv is the world's home of entertainment. With stores across the UK, Canada and Ireland, franchises in the Middle East and Asia and global online and digital operations set to launch, hmv is thriving under Hilco's ownership.

About Nordoff Robbins – http://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/music-therapy @NordoffRobbins1    

Nordoff Robbins is the leading independent music therapy charity in the UK, dedicated to changing the lives of vulnerable and isolated people. It supports thousands of people through its centres and working in partnership with a wide range of organisations including care homes, schools and hospitals. In the hands of a trained practitioner, music therapy can be used to support people living with a wide range of needs. It can help a child with autism to communicate, unlock forgotten memories for those living with dementia or provide comfort for someone facing a terminal illness.  Music therapy can be life-changing for so many people. 

About The Premier League – http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb.html @premierleague

The Premier League aims to play the most competitive and compelling football possible, inspiring fans, communities, and partners alike and invigorating lives across the globe. Last season, 13.9 million fans attended matches with record stadium occupancy of 96.3%.  Across nine months of the year, 380 matches are available to watch in over 900 million homes in 190 countries.