Last updated at 15:07, Wednesday, 01 June 2011

Workington Reds Select have named a competitive veterans squad to take on the Manchester United Legends at Borough Park on Sunday, June 12.

Graham Anthony

It includes 15 players who helped the Reds to a 1-0 win over the Liverpool Legends two years ago.

John Reach, at 54, is the oldest member of the squad and again he will be skippering the side hoping that his old school chum Bryan Robson will be leading out the United Legends.

Manchester United are expected to name their Legends line-up next week when the likes of Alex Stepney and Pat Crerand might not be playing but are expected to be in attendance.

Graham Anthony, who scored the winning Workington goal against Liverpool, is again in the home line-up.

Malcolm Dawes, who played for Workington in their final season as members of the Football League, is to manage the team.

He said: “I was player coach at Reds under Alan Ashman and when he left I would have loved to have been given the chance to manage the team, even though we were in a precarious position.

“Obviously I’m delighted to be involved again because I always have a soft spot for Workington and have a lot of friends over there. It’s going to be a great day for everyone involved.”

Local sports writer John Walsh, who has put the Workington squad together, said: “I think we have a nice mix of ages from across the decades and I’m looking forward to seeing the lads back together again.

“There was a great camaraderie about the players last time against Liverpool when Peter Foley was in charge of the dressing room and I’m sure it will be the same this time with Malcolm there to stoke them up.”

Tony Hopper, who announced his retirement at the end of last season and who hasn't kicked a ball since, is to dust the boots down again and return to the Reds line-up for a one-off appearance.

Kevin Rowntree, whose son Gary is a member of the current Reds squad, is 47 now and keen to pull on the Reds shirt again. Unfortunately another father and son combination won’t be represented on the pitch – although both will be there watching.

Ian Johnston, a team-mate of Malcolm Dawes in 1977, is unable to play because of knee problems while son Craig, who only retired from playing two years ago because of a knee injury, can’t risk a run-out either.

The Workington squad is: Ian Milburn, Alan Gray, Darren Edmondson, Stuart Williamson, Marc Green, Keith Glover, Nigel Park, Tony Hopper, Graham Anthony, John Reach, Billy Gilmour, Matt Henney, Graham Goulding, Bob Rice, Gary Messenger, Andy Walker, Martin Henderson, Jimmy Irving, Darren Wilson, Kevin Rowntree and Martin Kirkby.

Tickets can be bought from Borough Park between 10am and midday or by calling 01900 602871; Picture It, Murray Road, Workington; The Bush, Cockermouth, or by calling 01900 822063; Austin Wren Trophies, Maryport, or by calling 01900 813661.

First published at 11:25, Wednesday, 01 June 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk