A game, to mark the 50th Anniversary of the first ever competitive fixture of Valley Sports, has been arranged for a VS Rugby Legends side to play a Coventry City Stars + Guests side organised by Steve Ogrizovic, at Butlin Road, Rugby on Sunday 10th September 2006 kick-off 3.00pm. Former VS Rugby managers, Jimmy Knox and Ron Bradbury will take charge of the Legends side.

A massive response from former VS Rugby players to take part in this charity fundraiser and the Coventry City Stars side offers a great chance for supporters to show their appreciation of past glories of the two clubs. It was unique for the two clubs, 12 miles apart to play in their first Wembley Final within four years of one another and both to win, VS Rugby 1-0 against Halesowen Town in 1983 and Coventry City 3-2 against Spurs after extra-time in 1987.

Already 28 ex VS Rugby players have expressed an enthusiastic desire to show that time has not taken its toll on their skills, although some still play regularly, as they hope to raise a good total for the charities at the ground they once graced.

The FA Vase players included are John McGinty, Martin Haskins, John Setchell & Steve Knox. Others are Terry Angus, Graham Reed, Dale Belford, Gary Bradder, Gary Redgate, Gary Fitzpatrick, Andy Geddes, Steve Ross, Mark Boyland, Tom McGinty, Steve Shea, Paul Geddes, Lee Harriman, Liam Halton, Mick Shearer, Gary Hardwick, Gez Murphy, Robert Smith, Ashley Warner, Nigel Niblett, & Stuart Storer with Rugby based, Simon Williams, Liam O’Neill and Mark Hughes. The Hinckley United Manager, Dean Thomas will also play in the game.

Coventry City include Wembley heroes Cyrille Regis, Michael Gynn, Trevor Peake, Steve Ogrizovic, David Bennett an FA Cup Final goalscorer, Dave Phillips, Lloyd McGrath plus Brian Burrows, Dean Emerson, who played 40 games scoring 6 goals for VS during 1997/98, and David Busst.

All proceeds are for charity with admission charges £4 Adults and £2 Concessions

Charities to benefit are The Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, Myton Hospice Rugby and The Birmingham Children’s Hospital Heart Unit. A collection for the Motor Neurone Disease Association on behalf of recently diagnosed former VS Rugby player, Ian Crawley, will also be made at the game. The FA have confirmed that Ian has the distinction of being the only player to have scored the winning and only goal in two non league finals. The VS Rugby 1983 FA Vase Final and for Telford United in the FA Trophy Final of 1989.

Although there has been some excellent support for sponsorship, more help is needed to sponsor individual players kit, programme adverts and raffle prizes and to assist on the day. To help please contact Keith Coughlan on 0771 3480888.