International football in Puerto Pollença

Puerto Pollensa's local football ground is the scene of an England v Spain international match next Saturday when a team from Liverpool meet the port's veterans to play for the Eladio Lorente trophy. This year marks the fifteenth time the Liverpool Ramblers Veterans, one of the oldest amateur football clubs in Britain, have come to Majorca to compete for the trophy which is named after the man who was president of Puerto Pollensa veteran's team (then called UDC Cultural) at that very first match back in 1987. Sadly, before the next year's game, Señor Lorente was killed in a car crash but his sons and the insurance company they represent have presented a trophy in their father's memory ever since. Local restaurant owner Geoff Thomas and schoolteacher Juan Aguilar organise the event from the Majorcan side, liaising with Liverpool Ramblers representatives. The English club was founded in 1882 and runs four other football teams from its Liverpool home ground as well as a veterans side. The teams play matches all over the UK against school teams and other amateur clubs. And the club is purely amateur, its players, whose ages are in the 40 to 60 year bracket, hold down regular jobs (judges, barristers, accountants -- people from all walks of life feature) when they are not indulging their passion for football. This year's contingent of some 16 team members (no wives or girlfriends allowed!) include two who featured in the original match. Willy Hall and Miles Pickering admit they will probably not play for the whole match, but nothing is going to stop them making an appearance. The match is always played in good spirit but that doesn't mean it will not be hard fought, and Liverpool have everything to play for. Relying on experience rather than young legs, their maturity in relation to the Puerto Pollensa side has not helped them win matches, last year's rather lucky victory which was decided on penalties being the first time they have come out on top. This Saturday the port is out to set the records straight and regain their numero uno position. So why not come along and cheer on the teams. Kick-off is at 7pm and the action takes place at the port football ground along the Formentor Road near the military base/Hotel Playa Mar. Admission is free. To add to the evening's attraction there is also a raffle offering the chance to win an official Liverpool Football Club football (signed by some players) and a Liverpool FC shirt (this year's model). The raffle draw will take place at half-time and tickets are priced at five euros each.