Steven Rudd says both teams in next weekend’s Workington Reds v Reds Legends clash will be determined to win the Tony Hopper Memorial Trophy.

Rudd, who is player/manager for the Reds side, along with Gari Rowntree, admitted that neither team will want to be on the losing side at the end of next Saturday’s clash.

But he added that there would also be plenty of fun at the event, which could be the last ever game to played on Borough Park.

“There’s no such thing as a friendly really – both teams will want to win, I can guarantee” said Rudd. “We won’t want to get beat off the older Legends and they won’t want us to win either.

“It will definitely be competitive but I am also sure we will have some laughs along the way.

“I am sure that some of the Legends will still be quicker than me!” he joked.

And Rudd said that with the game being in memory of former Reds legend Tony Hopper, who sadly died last year, it means a lot to all the lads taking part.

“I played with Tony at Workington so, for me, this is an honour to play in this game and everyone else feels the same,” he added.

“Everyone knows how well thought of he was at the club and in the wider football community so we are all doing this for a great cause.

“It is great that everyone has committed to playing and some lads are travelling a long way to play. Some haven’t played for a lot of years so it is great that they are putting themselves out there for this.”

The match (2pm kick off on May 18) will be the highlight of a family fun day which will also feature a junior football competition and the live screening of the FA Cup Final. The event starts at 10am with the junior tournament.

Money will be raised on the day towards running costs for next season, and for the Tony Hopper Motor Neurone Appeal, set up in memory of the Reds legend.