EVERYWHERE football fans will turn at the Newry Showgrounds on Saturday afternoon (3pm) there will be blasts from the past as Liverpool Legends lace up their boots for a crack at some local heroes in a fundraising bash for the Co Down club.
Alan Kennedy, Eamonn Hawkins, Ronnie Whelan, Ollie Ralph, Jason McAteer, Harry Fay, John Aldridge, Mickey Keenan, Mark Wright, Marty Magee, Don Hutchison, Shane Mulholland Paul Walsh, Mark Rutherford and Jermaine Pennant are just some of the local and cross-channel legends who have graced the game in different eras.
The two teams will play three 30-minutes before the Liverpool and Newry Legends gather for a special dinner and talk night event in the Canal Court Hotel in what promises to be a fantastic evening’s entertainment for local football fans.
Speaking ahead of the special match and evening, Newry boss Darren Mullen thanked club organisers and sponsors in making the event possible.
“The event has been in the making for over two years because it was organised before COVID,” Mullen explained.
“It should be a good occasion for the club and will help raise funds ahead of our Premiership return.
“It’s an opportunity for Liverpool fans and indeed other football fans that would remember watching these Liverpool players from different eras and to see them in the flesh.
“We’ve also a great Newry Legends team for the game. I set up a Newry Legends WhatsApp group a few weeks ago and it’s been pinging non-stop. There will be meet and greet opportunities too at the game.
“There’s been so much work put into the match and the evening itself that I’d just like to thank all the volunteers at the club who have managed to pull this off.”
There will also be two special mascots – Noah (5) and Jack (7) – the sons of the late Michael Rogan of Mayobridge who tragically died after an accident at home.
Michael was a Liverpool fanatic.
After his death on June 5 2020, Michael’s wife Louise and her two children moved to Kerry to make a new life for themselves. Newry FC have invited the family up for the game.
Meanwhile, Mullen is busy readying his team for another crack at senior football after their impressive promotion out of the Championship last season.
The Ballyholland man has agreed new terms with the vast majority of the existing squad as the Co Down club remain on a tight budget.
“I don’t have the money to go and make marquee signings,” Mullen said, who guided the club back to the top flight in 2018, “and I don’t actually know if that approach would suit us or not.
“We’re a really tight-knit group, there are no airs or graces about us, no egos, so it’s very important that we have the right type of character in the changing room."
Mullen will invite several players to trial with the club during pre-season and expects to seal some loan deals before the start of the new season, with James Teelan and John McGovern still attracting admiring glances from some of the Premiership’s top clubs.
Mullen added: “I’ve no doubt whatsoever how difficult it’s going to be in the Premiership but it’s pure excitement. We’ve fought so hard to get here and if I’m worrying about playing Glentoran, Linfield and Cliftonville then I shouldn’t be here.
“It’s a challenge to be embraced. Being in the Premiership, you learn more than on any coaching course. It’s sink or swim. The last time we were in it we just feel short. But I think we’re better equipped to deal with it but only time will tell.”
Tickets for the Liverpool Legends match and talk night at the Canal Court Hotel can be purchased on the Eventbrite website or at the Newry Showgrounds before the game. Saturday's match kicks off at 3pm.
