Chivers stars in sporting match

The Spurs Veterans' XI took on the plucky 1066 Veterans in the second annual Soccer Challenge at Rye & Iden United and ran out 6-4 winners.

But the result was really immaterial. The real purpose of the pleasant, family afternoon was for local players to rub shoulders with former stars, supporters to meet some of their boyhood heroes and, most importantly, to raise funds for the 1066 Sporting Club.

And raise funds they did because more than 500 was conjured up by a generous 200-strong crowd. The money will be pumped into the club, which encourages budding sports stars in 1066 country.

Terry Avann of organisers Style Promotions said: "It was an excellent day, everyone really enjoyed themselves. It was a great success.

"The Tottenham Hotspur Vets really got into the spirit of things, and they won so I suppose it made things even better for them. I had a word with Martin Chivers and he said they were all having a great time."

And Chivers, who broke the British transfer record when Tottenham signed him for 125,000 in 1968, strode across the turf having lost none of the brio that brought him 13 goals from 24 England caps. Paul Moran and Scott Houghton plus Mark Falco and '70s favourite Jimmy Neighbour (both two) were Spurs' goalscorers.

One of the highlights for the 1066 team came from former professional and Brighton and Hove Albion reserve team chief Dean White, who slammed a bullet header past the keeper to make it 1-1.

Other goals for the local team were provided by the impressive Martin Couzens and Pat Burt, who bagged a brace during an end-to-end second half. The lively Kevin Briley also caught the eye along the left flank.

Avann, who would have scored but for a remarkable save in the second half, added: "It's hard to get the ex-pros down, but we will definitely be having a third Soccer Challenge next September, but as to who, we don't know."

1066 Vets: John Dellar, Mark Saxby, Tommy Bristow-Diamond, Steve Johnson, John Lambert, Guy Woodley, Jimmy Cooper, Pat Burt, Paul Saxby, Peter Heritage, Martin Couzens, Simon Carey, Colin Spray, Dean White, Dave Tiltman, Kevin Briley, Terry Avann, Mark Malyon, Dale Skinner.

Spurs Vets: Perry Suckling, John Moncur, Pat Holland, Tony Galvin, John Pratt, Paul Moran, Jimmy Neighbour, Scott Houghton, Martin Chivers, Garry Brooke, Ralph Coates, Phil Beale, Mark Falco, Gwyn Walters, Alistair Dick, Richard Cooke.