WITTON supporters take on their Runcorn Linnets counterparts in an annual challenge match this weekend, when the winners’ prize is a special piece of silverware.

The victors will take home with them the Tony Waterman Memorial Trophy, named after a life-long Albion fan who died in October last year.

He had organised a sponsored walk, from Wincham Park to Linnets’ Millbank Stadium, the previous summer when the clubs’ senior teams met in a friendly.

Witton followers have played Runcorn fans in an 11-a-side contest in each of the past five years, the result of a friendship struck between the two sets of supporters when the North West Counties League outfit shared Albion’s pitch prior to their own ground being built.

“I spoke to one of Tony’s daughters, Debbie, and she was happy to back our idea to play the game in her dad’s memory,” said Mark Robinson, who manages Albion’s supporters’ side.

“Both groups of fans felt it was important to maintain a relationship after the ground-share arrangement ended, so Runcorn became our regular opponents.

“It’s been a challenge to make sure the link hasn’t been broken, but we’re looking forward to celebrating Tony’s hard work in helping to achieve that.”

Sunday’s match at Wincham Park – the sixth head-to-head in a series that Witton lead by three wins to two – kicks off at 1pm.

A collection is planned to raise money for Northwich-based charity The Joshua Tree, which assists families caring for seriously ill children.