BLACKROD Town's forthcoming event "A Celebration of Football in Blackrod 1974 to 1994" has had the village soccer grapevine buzzing. Event main organiser Denis Flatters explained: "Since we first mentioned having this reunion, phone bills in Blackrod must have skyrocketed!

"Initially the people who have been involved at the club during the last three decades knocked up a list of about one hundred and ten former players and officials who we should contact. Each one you get in touch with seems to mention someone else who we had overlooked. The list has now grown to just short of the 200 mark. What we are having to say is it will be first come first served.

"We are able to cater for about 170 on the night and at the moment we have just thirty tickets left. "I urge any former players with the club who want to come along and renew old acquaintances and reminisce over a pint or two to get in touch as soon as possible.

"There were half a dozen fellas in particular who we have had "Missing Persons" posters out for, so if anyone locally has any details of these lads I would love to hear from them.

On our "hit list" are Rupert Leggatt, who we believe still lives in Bolton, Paul Taylor, who still has family around here but moved to the Middleton area some time ago, Steve Matthews, who I saw in the crowd at a United game at Old Trafford last season so he's still knocking about around here somewhere and Glynn Stevens who we are told lives towards Wigan.

"Two more well-known players from those early years, Phil Seddon and Dennis Johnston appear to have sunk without trace and an ex-manager we would love to have join us on the night, Brian Robinson, is also proving difficult to locate although we are told he lives near Adlington.

"We would be delighted if anyone can throw any light on the whereabouts of these former Blackrod Town 'rogues'." The dinner is to be held on Friday October 6, 2000 at Hill Tops Sports & Social Club. Denis can be contacted on 01204 692071 or 07773 053903.