By Martin Morgan

Last updated at 12:43, Thursday, 29 July 2010

Egremont will link up with amateur neighbours Wath Brow Hornets to face Championship One promotion favourites Hunslet Hawks in a big fund-raiser for the family of the late ex-Rangers favourite Garry Purdham.

Garry Purdham

The combined west Cumbrian side will be coached by Egremont’s John Brocklebank and Ian Rooney, of the Hornets, for the amateur versus professional match on Monday, August 30, at Gillfoot Park.

“We would love to get a big crowd, maybe 1,000 people,” Brocklebank said. “Garry would blush if he knew such a number would turn up, but it would be a fitting tribute. He would however be very proud to see his son, Cameron, play for Egremont in the under-eights game which will take place at half-time.”

Egremont will unveil their new strip for the season, which will take the club back to their colours in 1997/8, when they last won the National Conference title.

“That season was probably the best year ever in Egremont’s 110-year history,” Brocklebank added.

“Garry and Rob Purdham both played in the side that also had a memorable run in the Challenge Cup, which included the famous 18-0 win over Workington Town at Whitehaven’s Recreation Ground.”

The idea to return to their old colours, in tribute to their former forward, gunned down in June, came from Billy Rudd, of Unique Sports, who will kindly sponsor the kit. The link with Hunslet comes from Hawks chairman Steve Ball who has been instrumental in helping put on the Cumbria versus England clash on October 3.

“Steve has been brilliant in his role for the RFL Benevolent fund and we are grateful he has agreed for his club to help out raising money for the trust fund,” said Brocklebank, the Egremont chairman, who has been involved in organising the big Recre event with Haven and Workington counterparts Dick Raaz and Dave Bowden.

The Hunslet game will be sponsored by MITIE.

First published at 11:24, Thursday, 29 July 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk