MORE than 200 former Cirencester Town players are on the guest list at the Corinium Stadium on Saturday when the club holds its 125th anniversary celebrations.

The longest traveller will undoubtedly be Bernie Wardle, a ‘tall, explosive and skilful winger’ for both Town and Forest Green Rovers in the early seventies who is coming specially from his home in Spain.

Town’s office manager Scott Griffin who has worked tirelessly to organise the club’s special day, explained: “We circulated as many ex-players as we could find and someone forwarded the email to Bernie who got in touch and said he would be delighted to come back.

“There are going to be at least 13 players from the squad in which Bernie played attending on Saturday.”

Another Town legend returning will be Jimmy ‘Gentleman James’ Carter.

Griffin recalled: “Jimmy was the poshest player I ever played with. To listen to him question referees’ decisions in that accent of his was just hilarious.”

There will also be members of the country’s first ever football academy at Cirencester run by former Leeds and Forest Green boss Dave Hockaday which won the national college finals in 1997.

On the pitch on Saturday there is the small matter of the Southern Premier League clash with Arlesey Town with Cirencester Town still fighting for back-to-back promotions despite the shock home loss to Slough. A victory for Brian Hughes’ side last Saturday would have put them in the play-off places and they cannot afford any further slip-ups.

All are welcome as the club bids to break its Southern League attendance record of 474. Kick-off is 3pm. Entrance has been reduced to £5 (adults); £3 (concessions); with accompanied U16s going free.