ONE of the North-East's oldest football clubs has suffered a disappointment in its bid to save the club.

Kevin Keegan, whose family hailed from the Stanley area of County Durham, had been asked to appear in a fundraising team of all-stars at nearby Annfield Plain FC.

In a message to the club, the Manchester City boss expressed his disappointment at being unable to attend, as his side take on Grimsby Town on the weekend of the match.

But the team will still include other football stars, including Sunderland manager Peter Reid, Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren, and Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson.

Other possible star names include former North-East club players Gary Bennett, Bernie Slaven, Steve Cram and David Hodgson. The match is being organised by Sunderland's 1973 FA Cup hero Micky Horswill and the Stanley branch of the Sunderland Supporters Club.

Annfield Plain, founded in 1890, has suffered vandalism over the years at its Derwent Park ground, most recently when a stand was badly damaged in August.

The Wearside League club hopes the match, on Sunday, December 2, will raise more than £5,000 for repairs and to secure the club's future. A total of 4,000 tickets will go on sale this week for the match, which will kick off at 2pm.

A full house is expected for the event, which would break the 1993 record of 3,000 who attended a match between Annfield Plain and Newcastle United to raise money for charity. Tickets for the match are available from Annfield Plain Cricket Club, the town's Democratic Club and also home matches at Annfield Plain. Alternatively, you can contact Annfield Plain AFC on (01207) 235879. Tickets are priced at £2 for adults and £1 for concessions