Evo-Stik Football - Sir Tom sends best wishes for Town's final home match (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Evo-Stik Football - Sir Tom sends best wishes for Town's final home match

11:11am Thursday 21st April 2011 in Sport

IT'S PRESIDENT'S Day at Kendal Town on Easter Saturday when Sir Tom Finney, the holder of the office, has attended in past years..

Due to health reasons the England and Preston North End icon cannot make Saturday's match, but he remains involved with the club and very much an inspirational force.

Town committeee member Tom Rowe is Sir Tom's closest aide and says he takes his role as Town honrary president very seriously.

"We had fish and chips together at Cleveleys yesterday and Sir Tom was talking all about Kendal and how impressed he was with the way the club was being run.

"He celebrated his 89th birthday only a few days ago and his legs will not stand coming up for the game, though I know he wanted to go.

"He always take a keen interest, reads the match programmes and knows what the team results are and who's playing in the side.

"Sir Tom has had strong links with the club with his brother Joe playing for Netherfield and he has helped enormously.

"He thinks that the Lee Ashcroft and Ian Kilford have done a marvellous job and he's pleased to see the club going forward, even if promotion was not to be this time.

"He asked me to send all his best to everyone involved with the club and the supporters."

Town face eighth-placed Chasetown, who are still in the promotion shake-up. Local schoochildren have been received tickets to attend free with an adult and the club is hoping there will be a big crowd for the occasion.

Then it's an Easter Monday trip to Gigg Lane to end the campaign against FC United of Manchester, who will be anxious to try to get home advantage for a play-off semi-final if it materialises.

Ashcroft said: "We want to win in front of the home fans against Chasetown to say thankyou and hope there will be a turnout on the Bank Holiday weekend.

"We were disappointed to lose at North Ferriby last week.

" There were too many tried legs out there but the myself and the players are anxious to put it right on Saturday."