Prior to the launch of the Clitheroe FC Veterans football team under the stewardship of Simon Garner and Jason Jones, it was always the intention to give the lads a run out on the hallowed turf once again. As fate would have it, the injury to current first teamer Lee Pugh provided a great chance for the lads both to help the JustGiving effort to cover Lee’s living expenses and to raise money for other local charities such as Ribble Valley Families.

On Sunday, 4 February, the Vets will take to the field against the club’s own Lads United side. Kick off will be midday with a suggestion donation of £5 for entry, for everyone looking to roll back the years. This is a suggested entry fee, so any families with children, please donate what you can and feel is appropriate.

As a newly formed team the Clitheroe Vets squad is still taking shape but already has a great blend of players who have represented the club at every level, current players on the roster are:

SIMON GARNER
JASON JONES
DENIS HILL
KRIS RITCHENS
DANNY WOODHEAD
OWEN ROBERTS
ANDY TAYLOR
CRAIG SARGIESON
DANNY BRADY
MARTIN ASPINALL
RICHARD FOGGARTY
RYAN FISHER
CARL GREENWOOD
JOHN-PAUL FAGAN

Two of our very own club Vase legends Denis Hill and Andrew Taylor have agreed to lace up their boots again and to make an appearance for this game. We have Northwest Counties Title Winners John-Paul Fagan, Kris Ritchens, Carl Greenwood and more recent familiar faces which include Craig Sargieson and Ryan Fisher, who have all agreed to not only play in this special game but also to represent this great club in the Lancashire Vets League. Meanwhile, Lads United are into their second season and have many fans and local legends in the side, including vice chair, Andrew Jackson.

The club hopes that the fixture will attract families of players from both sides and locals to come along and show their support for Lee and to cheer on the players from both teams. There will also be plenty of chance for long-serving supporters of the club to come along and to reminisce about the good times, cup runs, league success and Vase journeys that these warhorses have brought to the club.

Jason Jones said “Simon and I want to thank the club for the support they have given us and to Andrew Jackson, Carl Garner and Ross Hibbert who have helped make this dream become a reality. It is an honour to be given this opportunity to represent the club, play at Shawbridge once again and to support such a great cause. We are all looking forward to the day and hope we can draw in a crowd to support Lee and his family.”

Kick off will be at 1PM. The bar and diner will be open and we hope the game will attract a big crowd.