TWELVE years after disbanding, former members of a local rugby union team are planning a reunion and have already clubbed together to sponsor a match to mark the occasion.

Formed in the early 1980s, Atherton Briarcroft RUFC was the brainchild of Allan Robinson at the famous old youth club at the Briarcroft Hall on Leigh Road in Atherton.

Starting as a colts team and playing on Hesketh Fletcher School fields the transition to senior rugby saw regular fixtures held with local clubs Tyldesley, Leigh and Aspull providing regular opposition in the early days.

As playing numbers increased Briarcroft joined the newly-formed league structure and enjoyed moderate success for a number of years. But after a drop in playing numbers and some heavy defeats, the club withdrew from the league to focus on playing social rugby and they disbanded altogether in September 2002, playing their final match against Trafford Metrovick with ageing players either moving to other local clubs or hanging up their boots.

But now, thanks to the power of social media, a handful of ex-players have discovered an appetite for a reunion, which will take place November 22 at Tyldesley RUFC when the Blue and Whites take on Vagabonds from the Isle of Man.

A handful of ex-players have agreed to sponsor the match and are inviting any ex-Briarcroft players or supporters to join them on the day.

Former Briarcroft player Ian Lysons, who went on to play at Tyldesley, where he managed the first team for five years, said: "The team grew old together and numbers declined and after we'd had a couple of hefty defeats we disbanded.

"But thanks to social media some of us have got together again and there's been a groundswell of opinion that we'd like to organise a reunion that might become an annual event.

"There are a few ex-players who still live locally, but some have left the area and we'd like to get in touch with them."

Anyone interested can contact Ian Lysons on 07770 691398 or ian.lysons@endsystems.co.uk. The group are also on Facebook at Briarcroft Re-Union.