Knees Up Dougie Brown (2)

BROWN WANTS GOUGH OFF STRICTLY COME DANCING

Warwickshire all-rounder Dougie Brown has asked cricket fans to vote England paceman Darren Gough OFF television’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ this weekend.

Gough has impressed with his nimble footwork on the popular BBC programme so far and is tipped to make the final next month.

But Gough has also agreed to play football for a star-studded Dougie Brown XI against the Aaston Villa All Stars at Solihull Borough’s Damson Park ground on Sunday December 4 (1pm) and he will have to withdraw if he remains part of the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ programme.

Brown said: ‘Darren has done fantastically well and I think that he’s surprised everyone that knows him with his light footwork.

‘I’d love him to go on and win the competition, but I’d also like him to play in my football match on Sunday.

‘He was due to play in Martin Grainger’s Testimonial Match at Birmingham City earlier this month but he had to withdraw because he was still involved in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and he couldn’t risk injury.

‘The same applies this weekend. If he’s still involved in the programme, he won’t be able to play football. If he gets voted off then he will turn out at Solihull. It would be a great help if Warwickshire fans could help vote Darren off!’

Realistically, Brown does not expect to be available this weekend, but he has still picked a strong invitation side which includes Cardiff City’s former Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion player Darren Purse, ex-Albion and Coventry City star Cyrille Regis, former Coventry City defender Dave Busst and ex-Birmingham City star Keith Bertschin.

They will play alongside Warwickshire cricketers past and present including Jim Troughton, Ian Westwood, Neil Smith, Stuart Eustace, Adam Shantry, Nick Warren and Keith Piper.

Among the former Villa players included in the All Stars provisional squad list are: John Chambers, Paul Birch, Andy Blair, Darren Bradley, Des Bremner, Mark Burke, John Capaldi, Gordon Cowans, Tony Daley, Allan Evans, Colin Gibson, Tony Morley, David Norton, Ian Olney, Brendan Ormsby, Neil Rioch, Nigel Spink, Kenny Swain and Mark Walters.

Admission to the game is by programme for a suggested donation of £2.

Further information can be obtained from the Dougie Brown Benefit Office on 0121 446 3645.

Dougie Brown joined Warwickshire in 1990 after he had played first-class cricket for his native Scotland. He was a key member of the Warwickshire squad that won six domestic trophies in three seasons between 1993 and 1995 and also helped them win the County Championship again last year.

He played nine limited overs internationals for England between 1997 and 1998 and, having re-qualified to play for Scotland, helped his native country qualify for the 2007 World Cup by winning the ICC Trophy in Ireland in July.