FAMILIAR faces from Swindon’s sporting past and present will join forces to help celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Swindon & District Football League on Saturday.

To mark the occasion, the league have organised a special series of events to coincide with the annual Swindon Advertiser Cup final day, which takes place tomorrow at the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground in Royal Wootton Bassett.

As well as the showpiece game at 3pm and preceding George Thomas/Don Rogers Cup final at 11am, a match between some of the town’s sporting heroes and a Swindon & District League select side will take place.

Swindon Town legend Don Rogers tops the list of attendees and will present the cup which bears his name, while the politician Robert Buckland and Royal Wootton Bassett mayor, Coun Mary Champion, are also scheduled to be amongst the watching crowd.

Former Town player Adi Viveash is set to pull his boots back on for the Swindon Sport XI, with Swindon Robins team manager Alun Rossiter, ex-boxer Kelvin Young, Swindon Town Ladies boss Steve Robertson and former Swindon Advertiser sports editor Steve Butt amongst the other names signed up.

League secretary John Luckhurst said: “For the 100th anniversary, we had a game at the County Ground between a Swindon Town XI and a Swindon & District League XI but this year we have opened it up to all sports.

“At the moment, we have got a list of 25 to 30 names of sports people from across the town or big characters within the sporting world in Swindon.

“As well as footballers, we’ve got speedway riders, boxers, rugby players and others as well. We’ve also got half a dozen referees signed up who have said they want to play, so that should be fun.

“We’ve also got Don Rogers coming to present his cup, which is the first time he has done that in a number of years, so we’re really pleased.”

Away from the pitch, a whole host of activities are planned to make sure there is plenty of fun for all the family.

The football theme continues as the Wiltshire FA will run skills coaching sessions, while there is also a bouncy castle, giant jenga and majorettes from the town are also set to appear.

Luckhurst added: “There is lots going on. It should be a fantastic day and a great celebration of the league.

“It is the second year we have held it at Wootton Bassett. It was really well supported last year and we’d love for it to be the same again this year.”

The league are also keen to look back on the past and want to hear from people with connections from years gone by.

“It is a great achievement to get to 125 years and one of the things we want to do is set up a Hall of Fame and put in online,” said Luckhurst.

“We have asked people to come forward with names and stories – we don’t have all the historical information but people will do.

“It might be their fathers or grandfathers who have passed away but played in the league for 10 to 15 years. We want to try to celebrate some of the characters who have been associated with our league over the years.”

The festivities get under way at 11am and will last until approximately 5pm, with tickets costing £4 for adults and £1 for children.