EXPERIENCE won over youth at the Help the Heroes charity football match on Sunday - and raised £10,000.

An impressive squad of former international and Premiership players triumphed over the Royal Engineers at Priestfield Stadium on Sunday.

The game was to boost funds to build a swimming pool and gymnasium at the Forces Rehabilitation Centre in South London, which aims to rehabilitate injured Kent servicemen and women.

Ex-England and Chelsea goal-keeper Peter Bonetti led his team of football stars to a 3-1 victory.

The all-star team sheet included two ex-Chelsea players, strikers Kerry Dixon and Gary Chivers, as well as Middlesbrough player Phil Stamp.

Wales goalkeeper Paul Jones, who turned out for his country 50 times, also made an appearance.

Former Premiership goalkeeper Dave Beasant, who was captain of Wimbledon when they won the FA Cup in 1988, was joined by Spurs FA Cup winner Paul Allen and West Ham’s Bobby Barnes.

Former soldier Guy Whittingham, who played for Portsmouth and Aston Villa, said the event was raising cash for a charity close to his heart.

Gillingham mid-fielder Nicky Southall bounced back from the club’s relegation defeat on Saturday to make an appearance at his home ground for the charity event. He was joined by Gillingham legends Andy Hessenthaler and Steve Butler.

The Engineers wore a replica kit from their FA Cup victory in 1875, which will be signed by as many professional footballers as possible and auctioned to raise more cash for the charity.

Around 2,000 football fans watched the game from the terraces and before the game, enjoyed entertainment including a karate demonstration, a dog display team, military bands and a penalty shoot-out competition.

Steve Craddock, Kent organiser for Help the Heroes, said: “The Royal Engineers may have had youth and fitness on their side but the old boys knew exactly where to be on the pitch at the right time.

“The event was not just about raising money but also about raising awareness, hopefully encouraging others to do some fund-raising of their own and sending the message to former servicemen and women that we care.”