MEMBERS of Warrington Town’s 1987 Wembley squad will be special guests at a town hall reception tonight as the club prepares to host Crewe United from Northern Ireland in the annual Peace Cup.
It is 25 years on from the club’s historic appearance at the national stadium when they played St Helens Town in the FA Vase Final, while the Peace Cup, tomorrow, Saturday, will help kick start the build up to 20th anniversary of the Warrington bombing, which claimed the lives of 12-year-old Tim Parry and three-year-old Johnathan Ball.
Crewe United were the first cross community organisation to visit Warrington offering the hand of peace following the bomb attack, which also injured more than 50 shoppers on March 20 1993.
Special guests at the event will include Tim’s parents Colin and Wendy Parry, who campaigned tirelessly for peace and reconciliation following the bombing and helped create a lasting legacy in memory of the two boys, in the shape of the Warrington Peace Centre.
Meanwhile Warrington’s Wembley squad will include manager at the time Dave Taylor, current club president Eric Shaw and a host of former players.
Assisted by Eric the club’s community development officer James Standing helped track down the club’s former players and staff from the year he was born!
“It has been great to speak to the people involved at the time and it will be a great evening. The day the club played in the semi-final was the day I was born so it is quite surreal to be helping arrange this reunion,” said James.
Players confirmed are Martin Alke, Ian Kinsey, John Wilbraham, Joey Barton Senior, Steve Hughes, Ian Reid and Neil Williams along with Dave and Eric and Coach Alex Gibson.
Meanwhile supporters are invited to the Warrington Town Sports & Social club at 8pm when the past players will be present and will step foot on the Cantilever Park pitch to share their tales from the events 25 years ago.
James added: “The lads are really looking forward to the evening. Dave Taylor and Eric Shaw have been a massive help in this and I would like to make this a regular event.”
Tomorrow, Saturday Warrington Town host Crewe United in the Styles & Co Peace Cup, which was first contested shortly after the Warrington bombing and resurrected four years ago.
The game kicks off at 3:00pm with admission prices set at £5 for adults, £2.50 for concessions and £1 for children aged 12-16 years while under 12’s get in free.
There will be a raffle helping raise funds for the Peace Centre.
Pictures show the Wembley squad and training with Manchester United on the morning of the final.
