A friend of the late Sir Stanley Matthews will be remembered this weekend when the Widnes Challenge Cup is revived after 28 years.

It is a tribute to the late Derek Roylance who played more than 500 games in the former Widnes Alliance League and was Avon Athletic secretary for 38 years.

He was great friends with Sir Stan - the two shared a passion for Blackpool FC and often sat together at their matches.

Derek died in 1996 but Avon are honouring him by organising the competition - involving eight Widnes sides - with main sponsorship from Halton Borough Council.

All matches are at Widnes Rec, kicking off this Saturday with Avon v Parklands and Moorfield v Village Social, both at 12.30pm, followed at 3pm by Halton Borough v Widnes R&S and Halebank v St Michael's. Semi-finals are on Wednesday, July 23 and the final on Saturday, July 26. Admission is free.

Terry Walsh, president of Avon Athletic, said: 'It is magnificent that Widnes is to have its own challenge cup once again and the response from clubs has been very positive.

'It is fitting that the cup is named after Derek.' Councillor Phil Harris, Halton's executive board member for sport, added: 'The council is delighted to help to return such a traditional fixture to the sporting calendar as it not only brings together young and old in their passion for football but also lays the foundation for the further development of local football.' Next year it is hoped to have a Halton Challenge Cup final at Halton Stadium between the Widnes Cup winners and their Runcorn counterparts. The previous Widnes Challenge competition was for the Thomas Maynard Cup and a traditional Easter Monday fixture.