European Cup winner and Liverpool legend Alan Kennedy will be the star attraction at BAA Wanderers' 30th birthday celebrations next weekend.

The man who's late goal against Real Madrid in 1981 won the trophy, will be the after dinner speaker for the club's black tie Sportman's Dinner at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess on February 27.

During his time at Liverpool Kennedy made 251 appearances for the club and also gathered up another European Cup, five league titles and four League Cup medals.

Prior to that, he featured 158 times for Newcastle United and played for them in the 1974 FA Cup final against, of all teams, Liverpool.

Kennedy was affectionately known as Barney Rubble on Liverpool's famous Kop for his powerful runs down the wing which resembled, in the eyes of the Anfield faithful, the spinning legs of Fred Flintstone's trusty sidekick running with his car.

"We are very fortunate and pleased that such a well-known and successful sporting figure will be coming to Bermuda for what promises to be a very special evening," said Bill Bolland, a member of the organising committee and involved with the Wanderers since their formation.

"Alan is a renowned after-dinner speaker in the UK and appears regularly as a TV pundit on the Sky Sports channel.

"We know that so many people in Bermuda follow the English Premier League and we wanted to give as many of those people as possible, as well as all of our ex-players, the chance to join us for this grand occasion.

"We have a unique opportunity to listen to the humorous 'behind the scenes' anecdotes and experiences of a footballer who won the greatest club trophy of them all, not to mention numerous other top class honours".

"And as it's a men-only function", added Bolland, "it's also the perfect excuse for an evening out with the boys."

BAA Wanderers was established in 1979 by Gordon Howard, a well-known figure on the Bermuda football scene at the time, and joined the Commercial League in the 1979-80 season.

The team had an immediate impact on the division and helped raise the standards of the league. The outfit was recognised as being very well run and soon led the way both in terms of coaching and administration.

Success on the field came very quickly and The Wanderers finished as League Champions on many occasions over the next 25 years as well as being regularly successful in the knockout Cup competitions.

Although trophies have been a little more elusive of late, the team, now in their 30th year, is still recognised today as being one of the strongest and best organised in what is now the Corona League.

Overseas tours, completely funded by the players themselves through a variety of functions and schemes, have been undertaken on an almost unbroken annual basis since the formation of the team.

BAA Wanderers has raised the Bermuda flag and developed, through football, sporting relationships throughout the United States and Mexico as well as Canada, Cuba, St. Maarten, Aruba, Brazil and Panama.

Hundreds of players have passed through the ranks over the years and many retain a strong bond with the team.

The managerial side, however, has displayed a remarkable stability.

In their 30 year history, the club has only had a total of seven manager/coaches.

This is a statistic of which many professional clubs would be proud and has been a huge influence in maintaining the great traditions of success, discipline and camaraderie of the organisation.

"We have been planning this celebration for over a year now", revealed Bill Bolland, "and the other members of the organising committee including Chris Worsick, Mike McGrath and George Muhlbacher, have worked tirelessly to ensure that it will be an occasion to remember and a highlight of Bermuda's 2010 sporting calendar.

"We are honoured that Bermuda's own football legends, Clyde Best and Shaun Goater, are also likely to be in attendance and we have ex-Wanderers joining us from England, Scotland, the USA and Canada."

The club has extended a huge thank you to the Fairmont Princess, Gosling Bros and British Airways for their generous support and assistance which has enabled the non-profit event to take place and ticket prices to be kept at a very affordable level.

There will be an auction of football memorabilia on the night for collectable items such as a Liverpool shirt signed by Spanish superstar Fernando Torres.

All proceeds will be directed to support BAA's youth soccer programme and for the upkeep of the new state-of-the-art all weather football pitch from which so many local players of all of levels have benefited.

"As we only do this every 30 years, we are going to make sure we do it right and enjoy it.

"It promises to be a great night".