John Reach, the man who lifted Workington Reds’ first trophy in non-league football, is coming back to Borough Park.

Reach skippered Reds when they lifted the Northern Premier League’s President’s Cup in May, 1984.

Workington had only dropped out of the Football League in 1977 and this was their first taste of success since then.

North-east based Reach is back in town on Saturday for the Legends game at Borough Park, when the Tony Hopper Memorial Trophy will be contested for the first time.

Reach, whose nephew Adam has been starring in the Championship for Sheffield Wednesday this season, can’t wait to be back on his old stamping ground.

“Ever since I was invited I haven’t stopped thinking of my connections with the ground and the club,” he said.

“I played more than 299 games for the Reds; I was knocked out twice and picked up 45 stitches in my time.

“I also had three teeth knocked out; was sent off once and beat an Olympic champion [Daley Thompson] in a weight-lifting competition.

“I played golf on it, hit a six playing cricket on it and I was probably the last Reds player to score against a Premier League club in a proper game [Huddersfield Town].

“Once I started thinking about the place the memories came flooding back and to say I have an affection for the place is a massive understatement.”

Reach was skipper when Reds beat Marine on the away goals rule to win the President’s Cup. He had scored the goal in a 1-1 draw on Merseyside and the second leg at Borough Park a fortnight later finished goalless.

A Reds X1 will play a Reds Legends X1 for the Tony Hopper Memorial Trophy which will be presented by the late midfielder’s father, John Hopper.

Before the game, which celebrates 82 years of football at Borough Park, the Reds Ladies will take a lap of honour, parading the County Cup they won at the weekend.

The game went to extra-time and then penalties before the Reds overcame rivals Penrith.