Football fans are being offered the chance to play against a team of soccer legends featuring the likes of Bradford City coach Terry Yorath and his fellow stars Peter Lorimer and Eddie Gray.

Proceeds from next month's match between a celebrity side managed by former Bantams favourite John Hendrie and a team of Leeds United former players will boost a Menston school's bid to gain sports college status.

Places in the celebrity team, set to feature an array of television sports personalities, will go to the highest bidders with proceeds from the auction also helping St Mary's School, which has had to back its bid with pledges to put £100,000 towards the project.

Mr Hendrie, of Menston, whose children Lauren, 12, and Joe, 11, are at St Mary's, said: "It's going to be a smashing day - it's a real coup to get these players over here and there's even an opportunity for people to play against some of the legends of the past.

"Unfortunately, I'm still in a pot after breaking a bone in my hand three months ago so I won't be playing but I'll be shouting them on from the bench.''

Mr Hendrie, 35, who is also a former Leeds United star and one time Barnsley player-manager, now works as a sports consultant.

"If St Mary's gets sports college status the Menston community as a whole, as well as the pupils, will benefit from better facilities,'' he said.

Mr Lorimer, who manages the Leeds United former players team, said the side taking to the field at Guiseley Football Club on Sunday, October 17, was likely to include himself, Eddie Gray, Terry Yorath, John McClelland and Gary Williams.

He said: "We regularly play matches for hospitals and charities and this seemed like a really good cause - they're putting in a lot of effort at St Mary's and we were only too pleased to help.''

St Mary's head teacher Michael Pyle said: "It's a tremendous chance for people to watch and even play against some of the favourites from the 1970s and 80s and help support sport for young people and the community at the same time.''

Paying tribute to Mr Hendrie, who helped raise several thousand pounds for the school by hosting a golf day in the summer, Mr Pyle added: "Just like he did as a player, John's giving us more than 100 per cent.''

St Mary's was inspected by the DFEE last week with a decision on whether it will have sports college status from September 2000 due in November.

If the bid is successful its own £100,000 will be added to by £100,000 in capital funding - which will provide three tennis courts and improved changing facilities - and a further £300,000 over three years to help fund links with the local community and other schools.

l Tickets for the match - kick-off 2pm - are £4 for adults and £2 for children and will be available from the school with would-be players asked to submit their bid to John Hendrie, c/o St Mary's School, Bradford Road, Menston.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.