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Rolling back the years ...

Hundreds are expected to jam inside Devonshire Recreation Club for tonight?s Cal DeShields All Star Benefit Matches involving star-studded over 35 and 50 selects from the eastern and western parishes.

DeShields, a former Southampton Rangers, Hamilton Parish, Wolves and Prison Officers footballer, was left partially blind from a traffic accident he was involved in last year.

And gate receipts from tonight?s event will go directly towards the former player?s medical expenses in the US.

Last January?s first benefit match, which drew one of the largest crowds of the season at a football match, proved to be a resounding success.

And event organiser Vince Minors Sr ? a former team-mate and work colleague of DeShields ? anticipates tonight?s double-header at the Den to be just as entertaining, if not, better.

?It?s going to be another great night of football featuring some of the best players ever to play the sport locally,? he said.

Tonight?s event will see the likes of Ralph (Gumbo) Bean, Gary Darrell, Larry (Cracks) Darrell, Eugene (Hammer) Simmons, Lorenzo Symonds, Chris Furbert, Kyle Lightbourne and Fred (Pinks) Lewis suit up for charity.

In addition, several members of the local football community who have made valuable contributions over the years are to be honoured for their services and sacrifices at the Den tonight, among them Social Club?s Arnold Smith, Somerset Cricket Club?s Lionel Turner and North Village Community Club?s Harold (Doc) Dowling.

?These are some of the people in the community we feel never received the recognition they deserved for their contribution to local football,? Minors said. ?So our aim to honour some of the Island?s unsung heroes and give them the recognition they deserve.?

Tonight?s matches will be officiated by Bermuda Football Association honorary life president Charlie Marshall and honorary life vice- president Carlyle (Pee Wee) Crockwell, while famed local sports commentator and former BFA secretary, Joe Brown, will provide play-by-play commentary for those in attendance.

Brown is the brother-in-law of legendary Village striker Ralph (Gumbo) Bean.

Refreshments will also be provided.

Last January saw Hamilton Parish defeat Devonshire Colts and Wolves edge by Prison Officers at the Den in the first series of benefit matches showcasing ?Old School? football.