Ilkley Town AFC Over-60s take on Republic of Ireland this Sunday, 22 February, in the team’s first ever international.
Formed from a thriving Vets squad and strong links with other Yorkshire teams, Ilkley’s Over-60s is new to the club this season and comprised of club members plus players from Menston, Blacks Solicitors and Leeds Modernians Over-45s and a string of recruits from further afield.
The Over-60s have had a mixed start with a comprehensive 12-5 win plus a brace of 3-3 draws and one unlucky loss against quality opposition. Sunday’s match is a key warm-up fixture for the National Cup which kicks off in September.
Team manager Richard Slater said:
“The Over-60s have been going for under a year now so to be already playing an international team is fantastic. We were very unlucky against Merseyside in the Supplementary Cup three weeks ago and should give Republic of Ireland a decent test on Sunday.”
Brendan Finnegan, who set up Republic of Ireland Over-60s in 2024, said:
“We have added some decent players and results have improved greatly. We managed a 1-1 draw with England Over-60s last month”. Some of the players will be flying in from Ireland for the game."
The match is at 12.15 this Sunday at the MPM Stadium at Ben Rhydding Sports Club. It kicks off a full afternoon of fixtures with Ilkley’s Women facing Lower Hopton Ladies at 2.30pm and Ilkley’s Over-45s playing Thackley at 4.30pm. All games are FREE entry.
Refreshments are on sale at the ground throughout the afternoon with the Clubhouse Bar open from 2pm.
The Over-60s are looking to strengthen the squad and welcome new members. Anyone interested in joining should contact Richard Slater on 07532 682797.
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