A BURNLEY club is set to host a one-off charity comedy night to help the son of a former Burnley FC player battling to recover after a horror car smash.
Jonathan Brennan, 21, suffered serious head and spinal injuries when the Citroen C2 he was travelling in flipped and rolled over near junction 11 of the M65 before rolling up a steep embankment.
Now the Ex-Clarets in Sport fundraising group has organised a Christmas Comedy Show to raise cash for the Johnny Brennan Appeal.
The line-up includes Johnnie Casson, Tony Jo, Maurice Grumbleweed, Nicky Newsome, Rick Lane and possibly Frank Carson and Ted Robbins.
Johnny, of Beverley Road, Blacko, has been recovering in the spinal injuries unit at Southport Hospital since March. He is paralysed from the chest down.
His girlfriend, Lindsay Allen, escaped the crash with minor injuries.
Johnny's parents Ian -- who played for the Clarets in the 1970s -- and Jean have visited the hospital every day. Doctors say he could be in hospital for up to a year.
Former Liverpool, Celtic and Scotland legend Kenny Dalglish has also been at his bedside.
Jean said: "Ever since the accident everyone has been very supportive and lots of people who know Johnny have rallied round to try and help."
Lionel Snowden, of the Ex-Clarets in Sport organisation, which raises funds for local good causes, said: "We are hoping to raise in excess of £5,000.
"We have had a generous donation from Andrew Brown of Crow Wood Leisure and donations from other businesses in the town.
"We have sold around 150 tickets but still have quite a lot left so we are hoping people will snap them up as it's for such a good cause.
"We are trying to raise enough money to help adapt his house so he has everything at the touch of a button.
"At 21 years old, it must be very tough for him so we want to help make life as comfortable as possible for him."
Ian Brennan, 52, played for Burnley between 1973 and 1980 as a left-back.
He is best remembered for a 30-yard wonder strike against Liverpool at Anfield in 1974.
The show is taking place at Burnley Mechanics on Friday at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £15 and there is a VIP reception which includes champagne and after-show buffet in a private room, which the comedians will attend, for £50 per person.
Tickets are available from Burnley Mechanics box office on 01282 664400.
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