SHANE Duff said he hopes he will be at Cheltenham Town for an 11th season as he addressed the crowd after his testimonial match on Saturday. Some of the most influential figures in the Robins’ recent history gathered at Whaddon Road to salute Duff’s decade of service. An All-star XI, including international rugby star Phil Vickery MBE, drew 3-3 with the Cheltenham team of 2009-10. Duff, who signed professional terms with Cheltenham in October 2000, is out of contract this summer and is yet to be offered a new deal by manager Mark Yates. Yates has said he would like to keep Duff, who has been restricted to 35 appearances in the past two seasons due to an Achilles tendon problem that has now been resolved by surgery. Club captain Duff is expected to be offered a new incentive-based contract this week, and he wants to prolong his association with his only professional club. No offers have been made yet and the manager said to me last Monday that it would be next week,so assume it will be in the next few days,Duff said. And over the PA system on the Whaddon Road pitch, Duff added: I have had a great 10 years here at Cheltenham, which is close to my heart, and I hope there is an 11th to come. Duff was beaming after the final whistle on Saturday and thanked his team-mates, past and present, for the turnout. It was a good game which was well received by the crowd and I was pleased to see them all Duff said. I feel privileged that the lads would come back and play in a game like this and they are such a great bunch of people. It was great in the dressing room, like the lads had never been away from each other, and it was nice to be a part of it. A big thanks to John Ward and Mark Yates for putting out sides and making the day possible.” Robins Trust chairman Clive Gowing, who is on Duff testimonial committee, said: It was a good day and a turnout of around 500-600 people. The weather was fantastic and I am pleased everyone enjoyed themselves. Duff paid tribute to former Gloucester Rugby prop Vickery, who entertained the crowd and showed great sportsmanship. Phil Vickery was amazing and I will definitely be buying him a drink, Duff said. He was outstanding. I had heard a lot of good things about him, that he is the Raging Bull and a real winner, but this shows the other side of his character. He was willing to come along as the only rugby player and help me out. I have nothing but praise and respect for him. It may have been Shane Duffs day, but it was also an afternoon to celebrate the healthy amount of players whose careers changed direction during their time developing at Cheltenham Town. The team that earned the Robins promotion via the League Two play-offs in 2006 reassembled to mark Duffs decade of service as a professional at Whaddon Road. Of the All-star squad, managed by John Ward and assistant Keith Downing, Michael Duff has just finished a season in the Premier League with Burnley while Martin Devaney and Brian Wilson have been in the Championship and goalkeeper Shane Higgs will be there next year with Leeds United. Colchester United's ex-Robins trio of Ashley Vincent, Steven Gillespie and Kayode Odejayi have been in League One, and it was a shining example of the work that needs to be put in if a club like Cheltenham are to be successful in the lower divisions. The amount of players brought in, polished and helped up the footballing ladder by Cheltenham during the reigns of both Ward and Downing, following the groundbreaking foundations laid by Steve Cotterill, are what have allowed Cheltenham to spend four of their 11 seasons in the Football League in the third tier. The match was played in glorious sunshine, but the two teams wiped the sweat from their brows to put on an enjoyable spectacle. The prospect of no tackles policy was never going to apply when the likes of John Finnigan and John Brough are involved, and the contest was both competitive and entertaining. The class of 2010 were first to score when Justin Richards span away from Gavin Caines, now with Kidderminster Harriers, and slotted past Higgs in the eighth minute. Striker Gillespie looked like he had not had a haircut since leaving Cheltenham two years ago, and he accelerated past his good friend Scott Brown before rolling the ball across for play-off goal hero Steve Guinan to equalise in the 15th minute. Up to seven of Mark Yates’ present day team could have been making their last appearances in Cheltenham shirts, but they were in no mood for charity up against their club captain Shane Duff, who started at centre-back for the All-stars. Josh Low fed left-back Lee Ridley and his cross was converted by Richards to make it 2-1 in the 19th minute. England and British Lions rugby star Phil Vickery was introduced to the action in the 26th minute and the man mountain adapted well to his new sport, pleasing the crowd with some dainty touches for a front row forward. One of the loudest cheers of the afternoon was reserved for the appearance of legendary left-back Jamie Victory, the club’s most highly decorated player, who went on before half-time. Higgs saved well from Richards, but the former Kidderminster forward powered in his hat-trick in the 39th minute to make it 3-1 at the break. Cheltenham-born Devaney went on at half-time, showing some of his party pieces on the right flank, and Michael Duff, fresh from appearances at Old Trafford, Goodison Park and the Stadium of Light, replaced his brother in defence. Having dismounted from a piggy back courtesy of Andy Gallinagh, Gillespie caught the eye with his skilful runs and he scored a characteristic goal out of nothing in the 55th minute, in off the post, to make it 3-2. Ex-Aston Villa favourite Alan Wright went on for the All-stars and coach Neil Howarth and youth team boss Brough joined the action for the current squad, Yates himself also making a brief appearance. Supporter Tim Senior, who had put in a bid at an auction to have a run out, went on in the 59th minute for an experience to remember. Young goalkeeper Louis Barnfather made two smart saves, but when Devaney was tripped by Ridley inside the area the central figure Shane Duff stepped up to take the penalty kick. His first effort was blazed wide in similar style to Frank Lampard in the FA Cup final a couple of hours later, but he successfully scored from the retake with referee Roger East spotting a mystery infringement. All of the match officials should be praised for waiving their match fees and helping make the day a success as the match finished all-square at 3-3. Duff has not been able to feature much for Cheltenham in the past two seasons due to injury problems, but his troublesome Achilles is now fixed and ready to cope with the rigours of a 50-match season. A hugely positive influence in the dressing room and around the club, Duff needs to be a part of Yates’ vision for the future because when he is fit and performing well the team is far stronger. He is another Robin capable of thriving at a higher level. Saturday was a fitting tribute for a loyal and popular player whose family have left an indelible mark on Cheltenham Town over the past 15 years. Robins All-star XI: @S Higgs; J Gill, S Duff, G Caines, C Armstrong; A Vincent, S Guinan, J Finnigan, B Wilson; S Gillespie, K Odejayi. Subs used: P Vickery, J Victory, M Devaney, M Duff, A Wright, T Senior, S Foley, M Whittington, Cheltenham Town: @S P A Brown; J Durrant, A Gallinagh, M Townsend, L Ridley; J Low, M Thornhill, S Brown, M Watkins; D Hutton, J Richards. Subs used: J Brough, T Lewis, N Howarth, J Lee, K Haynes, L Barnfather, M Yates, D Waters, J Fawke, J Sauntson, S Rawlings. Referee: R East. Attendance: 600 (approx). The final event in Duff’s testimonial calendar is a golf day at Brickhampton Court on Thursday, June 3. Entry costs £149 for a team of three.