Veteran soccer stars to strut their stuff

SOCCER stars from years gone by will take a trip down memory lane at the annual SA Sports Tours Veterans Tournament at the Callies football field in Sunridge Park this weekend.

In its 12th year, the tournament starts on Friday with the finals scheduled for Sunday.

Once again teams from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria and East London will be vying for honours.

Last year’s winners, Evergreens from Cape Town, will be keen to take the title again but will face stiff opposition from the likes of Florida Albion and Boksburg from Johannesburg, Bothasig from the Cape and ACPP from Pretoria.

Several players in the visiting teams will be familiar to locals and some teams will be featuring ex-Port Elizabeth players. Some of the teams also feature former professional players in their ranks so the standard of football is still very high if a little slower than when they were in their prime.

Also taking part are PE All Stars, a team made up of players formerly from the city who now live in various parts of the country but get together once a year for this tournament.

Entrance to the grounds and clubhouse is free from 4pm on Friday and 9am on Saturday.

Callies will also hold a reunion on Thursday from 7pm and former players from all old EP Football Association and Pefa clubs are welcome. There is no charge and snacks will be provided.

Sadly, some of the big teams from the ’80s and ’90s are now defunct. Clubs like Hume Park, Walmer Celtic, Westview and Drostdy Park are no longer around.

However, players from that era and fans and former players are invited to meet some of their old teammates and opponents for some light-hearted banter.

For more information contact Daryl Ausmeier on 083-655-5995.