Movie star set to join fund-raising efforts in memory of Rhys Jones

Sep 25 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

THE Merseyside star of a movie pilgrimage to meet Diego Maradona has pledged to raise money for a Rhys Jones memorial community centre by holding a freestyle football skills showcase.

Mikey Fisher nearly gave up football after his two best friends died in a horrific car crash and told of his heart-break for Rhys’ family when he heard about the horrific murder.

He said the tragic death of soccer-mad youngster Rhys brought all the painful memories of his best-friends’ death four years ago as they all shared the same footballing dreams.

In The Hands of the Gods shows five pals busking their way across the Americas in six weeks and Mikey, 21, has captured audiences’ hearts nationwide.

Mikey dedicated the film to his pals when he spoke to the Daily Post last month and has now revealed a desire to generate cash for a proposed community centre in Croxteth.

Die-hard Liverpool FC fan Mikey, from Anfield, was the first to reach Buenos Aires and start stalking the Argentinian football legend for an autograph.

Mikey already boasts the title of UK Nike freestyle champion after winning their competition, beating more than 10,000 other entrants and appeared in footballing film Goal.

Mikey said he constantly battles painful memories of his friends Mark McNee and Sam Bencheikh – who died, aged 17.

Mikey, who has his friend’s names on his right shoulder in a tattoo tribute said: “I'm proud of what I have achieved and want to dedicate it to Rhys, Mark and Sam.

“I wanted to give football and freestyling up after Mark and Sam died in a car crash. It was so painful having to do it without them.

“And when I heard about Rhys being shot, I was heart-broken for his family.

“He was such a big footy fan – and if you play all the time like he was there is always potential.

“We all shared the same passion of making it big in football and I want to show people that you have to hold on to your dreams – no matter what happens.

“Mark was my best friend and we used to hang about all night practising our freestyle skills.

“We’d be there side-by-side all night under a lamp-post perfecting our moves until we had no energy left.

“When he died, all I could feel when I did my tricks was a cold, empty feeling where he used to be cheering me on.

“But my parents said that the lads would have wanted me to follow my dreams and that was what kept me going through the bad times on the trip.

“Every time we ran out of cash, food or I had a run-in with one of the lads I just called on their memories for support.

“They were both there when I was crowned Nike freestyle champ on MTV and I wanted them to see me meet Diego.

“But I'm sure they're both smiling down on me and are really proud of what I’ve achieved.”

Mikey’s next move will see him starring in the football freestyle showcase for the Rhys Jones memorial community centre, in Croxeth.

He will also raise funds for Alder Hey – and challenge their patron England hero Wayne Rooney to a keepy-up competition. Fans can visit purplerevolver.com for more details.

Mikey added: “I believe that my street footy skills are better than Wayne’s and if he wants a keepy-up competition then bring it on.

“With Rhys’s dedication, he could have become the next Wayne Rooney.”