photo by Simon Green

One of Wales Rugby League’s most famous quartets is to take the field again, but this time it’s for charity.

Jonathan Davies, Allan Bateman, Kevin Ellis (pictured above) and John Devereux have all been selected for a Great Britain Rugby League All-stars XIII that will take on a Wigan select XIII at Wigan St Patrick’s Rugby League club on Sunday 24th September (kick-off 1.30pm) to raise money for the Mike Gregory Trust Fund. The event will also feature live music after the match, a barbeque and the chance to win some rugby league prizes.

Gregory is a former Great Britain captain and Wigan coach and has recently been stricken by a disease that is related to Motor Neurone Disease. He coached Wigan for the last time at the 2004 Powergen Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium.

This fixture has given Kevin Ellis extra incentive to help Celtic Crusaders win

their crucial final National League Two match against Featherstone Rovers at the Brewery Field on Sunday.

Ellis, who is assistant coach at the Crusaders, said: “If we beat Featherstone on Sunday, we will more than likely face Sheffield Eagles away in our first play-off match in a fortnight. As Sheffield play all of their home matches on a Friday night, this will leave Sunday 24th free and I’ll be able to play without having to miss the Crusaders match.”

It will also give all the fans of Welsh Rugby League a chance to watch their heroes in action for one last time. Chairman of the Celtic Crusaders Supporters Club, Andy Burns said: “If the Crusaders aren’t playing that day, then we’ll look to run a coach or two up to Wigan. I’m sure that a lot of the Welsh public would like to see Jonathan Davies and the others in action again, and it’s for a good cause as well.”

Former Great Britain star Joe Lydon is coaching the side on the day and Ellis has invited him to attend the Crusaders match against Featherstone on Sunday but has an ulterior motive.

“We’re wetting my new born baby’s head,” Ellis confesses. “So I’m having a bit of a party. You could see a host of former Welsh international players at the Crusaders match.”

article by Ian Golden
5 September 2006