Two Suffolk businessmen brought a former football hooligan turned best-selling author to Ipswich this weekend for a sold-out charity event. 

Ipswich's car man to the stars, Mark Beadsworth, of Ipswich Alloy Wheels in Greenwich Close, and his business partner, Darren Summers, who owns Lily Woo Entertainments, have launched their own series of shows to bring well-known names to Ipswich to raise money for charity. 

On Friday, they brought Carlton Leach to Arlingtons in the town centre for members of the public to visit and talk to the author. 

Mr Beadsworth, known by many as Beany, said: "We sold out the tickets for this in just 12 days, and it was a packed crowd many of whom wanted to know about Carlton's footsoldier story."

Me Beasworth said that Carlton Leach managed to sell out the show in just 12 days.Mr Beadsworth said that Carlton Leach managed to sell out the show in just 12 days. (Image: Mark Beadsworth)

They also auctioned of certain items to raise money for charity.They also auctioned off certain items to raise money for charity. (Image: Mark Beadsworth)

The Rise of the Footsoldier is Mr Leach's most popular book, in which he documents how he went from being a football hooligan to a member of the Essex Boys Gang.

He wrote about his past life and the violent stories of it and why he left that life behind. 

The book was later turned into a feature film in 2009.

Mr Beadsworth first got to know the author 20 years ago when he was driving around Mr Leach's daughter in his limousine while Darren got to know him while working on the television show, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.  

So when the time came to bring well known names to Ipswich, they already knew how to reach out to Mr Leach.

Along with selling tickets, they also auctioned off perfumes from Mr Beadsworth's company DB Fragrances and Mr Leach's books to raise money for a local children's cystic fibrosis charity. 

Alfi meets his first celebAlfi meets his first celeb (Image: Darren Summers)

Darren said: "My son, Alfi, has cystic fibrosis. He was over the moon to meet Carlton. His first celebrity!"

Mark added: "We wanted to raise money every time we do something like this for a local charity close to our hearts. 

"At our next event, we are going to be raising money for arthritis since my daughter suffers from it."

The pair's next event is also going to be in Ipswich on August 31 with boxers Fabio Wardley and Jo Egan.