Legends will be the reds' best yet

THE best-ever line-up of Liverpool legends is coming to the island. The Guernsey Press can announce exclusively the names of the former Reds favourites who will be lining up against a Belgrave Wanderers select side at the Track on the evening of Monday 10 September.

It has been confirmed by the Guernsey branch of the official Liverpool Supporters' Club that the following former players will be appearing - Bob Bolder, Alan Kennedy, Phil Neal, Rob Jones, Nigel Spackman, David Johnson, John Wark, Jan Molby, Jason McAteer, Jimmy Case, John Barnes, Ronnie Whelan, Ian Rush, Gary McAllister, Paul Walsh, David Faircl-ough and Michael Thomas.

The GLSC are likely to know by Monday whether Steve McManaman, John Aldridge and Mark Walters are available to make the trip.

It is reputedly the biggest selection of football legends ever to grace the island for a local game and many now regularly appear on TV as pundits or playing televised Masters football on Sky.

And it has also now been confirmed that Guernseyman Matt Le Tissier will be making a guest appearance for the legends back on his home soil before switching teams for the second half.

The last time he put his boots on locally was for a Vale Rec side alongside brothers Carl, Kevin and Mark against an Isle of Wight team at the Corbet Field at Easter 2004.

'Alan Kennedy reckons it's the strongest line-up the Liverpool legends have ever had,' said GLSC members' representative Brian Evans.

'We wanted to pull something off that has never been done before - this is the strongest ever Liverpool legends team to play anywhere. We think this is the biggest coup there has been for sport in Guernsey for a long, long time.'

It is difficult to estimate what the star-studded squad full of ex-internationals would be worth in today's market.

But it is envisaged the starting line-up will be strong and possibly Bolder, Jones, Kennedy, Molby, Wark, Spackman, Le Tissier, Walsh, Rush, Barnes and Whelan.

In excess of 30 ex-players at Anfield expressed a desire to come to the island and Kennedy whittled the numbers down.

'They are buzzing about it,' said Evans.

Johnson will manage the team.

Stand tickets for the 'all-ticket' game have already sold out and a limited number for the ground are selling fast at £12 for adults and £5 for under-16s and senior citizens.

'The players have made it totally clear to us that they want Joe Public to have access to them on the day and they will be happy to sign autographs,' said Evans.

Liverpool Supporters' Club Guernsey branch secretary Andy Priaulx will be refereeing the match.

A penalty shoot-out for club members only will also be held at half-time.

Club members have been organising the trip since March after Dane Molby's after-dinner speaker appearance at its annual bash in the island in February.

Priaulx League favourites Bels will be fielding a full-strength side as well as a few second-half guests.

'I have not got a Scooby Doo what the score will be. Alan Kennedy has told us this is not an exhibition and they are coming to Guernsey to win,' said supporters' club treasurer Alan Jenner.

'Because you have young, fit players against seasoned professionals, it's anyone's guess what the score will be but I don't think it will be 0-0.'

Match tickets for the game which kicks off at 7pm can be bought at Aurigny's ticket desk, Evans & Co., DWA, Intersport, Ian Brown's Cycles, the Mariners' Inn and the Yacht Hotel.

The legends train at the Millwood training ground every week and have recently played games in Scandinavia, Ireland and Gibraltar and will be heading off to Thailand after Guernsey.

All proceeds from the game will be split 50:50 between local registered charities Help A Guernsey Child and Les Bourgs Hospice.

The costs of the event have been split by sponsors Evans & Co and Julius Baer Guernsey. A supporters' club meal being held for 360 people the night before is a complete sell-out and a waiting list has already been set up.