ENGLAND and British Lions rugby star Phil Vickery was one of the sporting legends at Cheltenham Town’s Shane Duff’s testimonial game on Saturday.
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.
Duff paid tribute to the 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.”
The team that earned the Robins promotion via the League Two play-offs in 2006 reassembled to mark Duff’s decade of service as a professional at Whaddon Road.
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 a ‘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 Shane Higgs in the eighth minute.
Striker Steven 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.
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 Martin 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 and Goodison Park with Burnley, replaced his brother in defence.
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 after referee Roger East had spotted a mystery infringement.