THE recently re-established York and District Leeper Hare League representative team are gearing up again for their 'match of the season'.

The York squad tackle their Scarborough and District counterparts at Pickering Town tomorrow, kick-off 7.30pm.

The match was postponed in February, but it is hoped the fixture will go on to become a permanent fixture in the local footballing calendar for years to come.

Apart from local pride, also at stake will be the Ernie Fairclough Challenge Cup.

Fairclough, York's 'Mr Football' and long-standing secretary of the York Leeper Hare League, died last year but helped re-establish the York League representative squad three years ago.

The York squad, managed by Bill Pearce, have already played a handful of friendlies leading up to next week's clash and also have more games planned for later in the season.

But Tuesday's game is the big one for Pearce, who explained it is at least a decade since the two representative sides had clashed.

The match used to be one of the highlights of the local football calendar when the Tony Aveyard Memorial Trophy was up for grabs.

That cup is now contested for by the district's junior teams but it is hoped the Ernie Fairclough Memorial Cup will become an annual competition.

The York league have provided the new trophy in memory of Fairclough and his family are expected to be on hand to present the cup to the winners.

The Scarborough league will provide the match officials and individual trophies for the players.

York squad: Silburn, Gargett, Wilford, Murr, Durkin, Terry, Abblett, Gibson (all Pocklington); Barkway, Harrison, Lake, Atkinson, Gaughan (all Dringhouses); Scoreby (Haxby Town); Collins (Malton Bacon Factory); Matthews (Wigginton Grasshoppers); Brownlow (Elvington Harriers); Burgess, Chandler (Dunnington).

Leeper Hare reports - Page 17

Tonight's football

(kick-off 7.45pm unless stated)

Nationwide League div 1: Nottingham Forest v Grimsby Town; UniBond League prem div: Marine v Wakefield & Emley.

Updated: 11:20 Monday, March 10, 2003