A CENTURY of football was commemorated at Kendal Town FC on Tuesday evening with the presentation of a centenary shield.

The Mayor of Kendal Cllr Alvin Finch handed the award to club officials on the pitch at the ST&B Accountants Stadium prior to Tuesday's pre-season friendly against a Blackburn Rovers under 23 side.

The shield symbolises 100 years of some glorious times and some tough times for the club known for many decades as Netherfield and which began life as a works team from the K Shoes complex.

Unfortunately, the current team managed by Steve Edmondson could not conjure up any glory on Tuesday evening though they battled hard against a very strong Rovers team many of whom had Championship experience with the Ewood Park side's first team including the likes of Joe Nuttall and Harry Chapman.

"Everything went very well and it was a successful evening, though Blackburn were a class outfit and showed that on the field." said Town chairman George Gudgeon.

Rovers won 4-0 with all the goals coming in a eight minute spell midway through the second half.

Jack Vale opened the scoring when he tapped home at the far post on 19 minutes and Chapman's fine strike doubled the lead a minute later.

Chapman made it 3-0 on 25 minutes as he knocked in Nuttall's cross and two minutes later Nuttall made it four, but from that point on, Town showed some steely resolve and fought back well.

Keeper Murray O'Rourke, who was introduced at half time, made some fine saves and the margin remained at 4-0 when the final whistle sounded.

The game completed a busy week for Town who had lost lost 5-2 to an impressive Morecambe academy team last Wednesday.

Debutant Lewis Wainwright and Nathan Reid both levelled after early Morecambe strikes but three goals in the final 30 minutes sealed the win for a dominant Shrimps side.

However, the Mintcakes had better luck on Saturday when they drew 3-3 with visitors Cleator Moor Celtic.

Town went ahead three times but were pulled back on each occasion by the West Cumbrians.

Kendal's new reserve team were also in action straight after the first team game and ran out 7-3 winners against Cleator Moor Celtic Reserves.

Town's first team continue their pre-season campaign with an away game at Carlisle City on Saturday, while competitive action begins with a home FA Cup extra preliminary round tie against Hemsworth Miners Welfare on Saturday, August 10.

"We've got a good squad together which is raw but has plenty of quality," said Mr Gudgeon.

"It will now be a case of drilling the hard in training over the next couple of weeks and getting ready for the season proper."

Unfortunately, amid the centenary celebrations, there was also sad news when it was confirmed that one of the greatest players from those last 100 years, former player-manager Bill Robson, had passed away.

He was best remembered for his partnership with Tom Brownlee, another scoring legend who also died just a few months ago.

Mr Robson, who had previously played league football for Workington and Carlisle United, signed for Netherfield later in his career and became a prolific scorer.

He was also a member of the side which won the Lancashire Combination league and cup double in 1965.