Aspatria have organised a sell-out lunch as a benefit for one of Cumbria’s most celebrated players.

David Robinson, who coached the Black Reds in the early 1990s, is struggling with Alzheimer’s and reduced mobility.

Robinson was a member of the North West Counties side which famously beat the All Blacks 16-14 at Workington in 1972.

He played for Cockermouth and Carlisle before making his name with Birkenhead Park and Gosforth. For the north east side he played in two back-to-back winning John Player Cup finals at Twickenham.

Newcastle Falcons organised an event of their own in November.

Aspatria official Barney Clegg said: “We saw what the Falcons had done and we decided we should do something as well at Bower Park.

“The lunch was set up for Saturday, January 18 when we are at home to Eccles and within 72 hours it was sold out to capacity.”

Friends and associates of “Robbo” who are unable to attend the lunch have sent donations.

Dave, an England A cap who toured the Far East with the international squad, has been a Dovenby farmer for many years and the concern is that because of mobility issues he may have to give up the tenancy of the farm.