12thmay05

Ruddock aids Pilgrims

FORMER ASHFORD Town supporter, Neil Ruddock returned to the club on Wednesday night to present the Alan Lancaster Trophy to an Ashford Town XI following their 5-2 win over the William Harvey Harriers, writes Stephen McCartney.

All proceeds were donated to Ashford based charity, the Pilgrims Hospice.

The Ashford Town side was put together and managed by Owen Jenner, whose side the Metro Reserves had celebrated winning the double this season.

The highlight of the evening was the presence of Ashford boy Ruddock, who presented a new trophy, named in memory of stalwart Alan Lancaster, to general manager Peter Young, who accepted it on behalf of the club with the promise to make the fixture an annual event.

The Ryman League club issued a statement on their website: "The club are proud of their community commitments and have chosen to support the Pilgrims Hospice for several years as their charity of choice."

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool star, however, has agreed to return and host a celebrity evening at the Homelands club in the near future.