The Big Match 2010

FORGET BECKHAM, BALLACK, EVEN BRAZIL… TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR THE REALLY BIG FOOTBALL MATCH OF 2010!

March, 2010, London – Special educational service provider The Philosophy Shop is delighted to announce tickets are now on sale for what promises to be the biggest football fixture of the year: 'Socrates Wanderers' versus 'Nietzsche Albion,' at Wingate & Finchley’s Harry Abrahams stadium, North London, Sunday 9th May.

Fans of both the sharp dialectical wizardry of the 'Greeks' as much as the solid flat back argumentative four of the 'Germans' need to go to http://www.philosophersfootball.com/about-pfm/buy-tickets soon to secure a place at this grudge match!

That's because, inspired as it is by the famous 1972 Monty Python sketch, and with the full backing of the surviving Pythons, tickets for its 2010 re-staging of the classic Monty Python 'philosophers' football' clash of 'Greeks' versus 'Germans' are sure to be in hot demand.

Philosopher AC Grayling and Former England Manager Graham Taylor have been appointed as managers organising tactics for this grudge match, and so far the team sheet includes comedians Mark Steel, Tony Hawks, Arthur Smith and Ariane Sherine, as well as assorted footballers, sorry, philosophers! Julian Baggini, Nigel Warburton, Simon Glendinning, Dr Stephen Law, Angie Hobbs and Mark Vernon. Our supporters on the touchlines include sociologist and Radio 4 Thinking Allowed presenter Laurie Taylor, the BBC’s John Humphrys, footballing legend Gary Lineker and educationalist and author Anthony Seldon.

Tickets are on sale now in advance for just £10 plus postage and packing and are only £1 for under 14s. Tickets will be £20 on the day of the fixture itself.

A host of well-known UK intellectuals, comedians, broadcasters, writers and journalists are playing in the Match or cheering on our philosophers from the sidelines in aid of the theme of 'more reasoning and creative thinking for our children'. From alternative comedians to high profile educationalists and academics, the fun event aims to highlight the importance of thinking in schools and is attracting high-profile support.

The dedicated match website www.philosophersfootball, built by media design consultancy on-IDLE, features the finest graphic artistry from global comic business, 2000 AD. The site also features a messaging facility where supporters leave a message on the theme of 'more reasoning and creative thinking for our children,' or if feeling inspired by the classic Monty Python clash of Greeks versus Germans, send some musings on the connection between philosophy and football!

There is also a Facebook group and twitter page for supporters to track our progress, while a special eBay auction for the Match memorial football, signed by all the surviving members of the Python team, is set to begin 10 days before kick off.

Finally, there is also a T-Shirt buying facility, where you can wear your intellectual and football credentials on your chest with a Match-inspired T-Shirt, designed by 2000 AD comics and with the slogan ‘Cogito, Ergo, Goallaaa!’ emblazoned on it – a must-have for philosopher footballers everywhere... even on Copacabana! (T-Shirts cost £15.99 for adult sizes and £12.99 for all junior sizes.)

The Philosophy Shop, the group behind the Match, helps Philosophy graduates conduct practical Philosophy sessions for primary school children (ages 5 to 11) as part of a drive to boost their critical reasoning skills from a very early age. This is in order to better support young people’s learning and development plus enable kids from all backgrounds to enjoy the intellectual excitement that comes from doing Philosophy.

“We are delighted with the interest and momentum generated for the fun event which has such an important deeper message,” says Peter Worley, The Philosophy Shop Director. “So post a message on the website or better come along and cheer for 'your' favourite style of Philosophy football!”

For more information about The Philosophers Football Match 2010 and for tickets, visit http://www.philosophersfootball.com/.

For further information and for interviews, please contact Amanda Jane PR:

Email – info@amandajanepr.com
Tel: 020 7241 1390 / 07920 052 160

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

SUPPORTER'S MESSAGES JUST IN

"A great footballer achieves that status as much through his ability to think on his feet and read a game as it does from training or innate ability. How could anyone not agree that teaching children to think about everything in their lives wouldn't be just as useful?" - Gary Lineker, Broadcaster, English Football Hall Of Fame Inductee. Reported to be planning move to top Brazilian team. Top Brazilian team as yet unaware of this.


“I didn’t think I would ever be managing the Socrates Wanderers. But the project is an important one, as well as being a fun event.” - Former Watford, Aston Villa And England Gaffer Graham Taylor. Manager.


"Children are philosophers by nature and should be given every opportunity to think and enquire and become little Socrates in their own rights." – Philosopher AC Grayling. Manager. Reported To Be Banned From The Touchline For Barracking The Fourth Official For Crass Determinism.

About The Philosophy Shop

The Philosophy Shop is a social enterprise and a member of Social Enterprise London, operating on a not-for-profit basis. Any operating surplus is reinvested in providing educational services or promoting Philosophy in the community. All money raised in connection with 'The Philosophers' Football Match 2010' will be used for increasing awareness of the 'Four Rs' campaign and for these purposes.

The Philosophy Shop will be using 'The Philosophers' Football Match 2010' as a springboard for increasing awareness of its 'Four Rs' campaign, centred on flagging the importance of the four, not three, Rs: Reading, (W)riting, (A)rithmetic AND Reasoning. http://www.thephilosophyshop.co.uk/

Philosophers' Football Match Partners

2000 AD; on-IDLE; Performance Ticket Printers, The Philosophers’ Magazine, HowTheLightGetsIn, Mitre

http://www.philosophersfootball.com/partners