AN evening with legendary 1990s tough-guy footballer turned popular TV personality Neil “Razor” Ruddock at Minehead Rugby Club last Friday raised £7,260.

He topped the bill at a benefit event to help Simon Antonelli, a well-known businessman in the town who has been suffering from serious illness.

“I was amazed by the response and so happy that we could do this for Simon at this devastating time,”said Minehead fundraiser Dan James, who organised the evening.

Dan, who runs the Something Else hair salon in Summerland Road, Minehead, said he trained with Simon for three years and eventually bought the business from him.

“He is a great friend and I owe him a lot. This is just a way of trying to show my appreciation.”

Razor Ruddock, a tough and uncompromising defender for teams including Tottenham, Liverpool and West Ham, and with a fund of memories and stories, topped the bill at the evening which included an auction for celebrity-signed shirts and tickets for forthcoming football, cricket and rugby games.

“It was a great evening and thanks to everyone for their kindness and support,” Dan said. “It was really appreciated by Simon and his family.”

Dan’s Mr SE Events campaigns have raised over £20,000 for local causes since last October. “I can’t thank people enough,” he said. “I’m totally blown away.”