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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Over 40s football team set up by ex-Rangers star Lee Feeney preparing for first game

An Over 40s football team set up by former players including ex-Rangers forward Lee Feeney will play its first match on Friday night.

The Mourne Masters were formed to help older players get back in the beautiful game.

Since launching an appeal for players earlier this month, they have attracted over 30 players.

And tonight they will get to test their skills once again when they take on Banbridge Evo Legends O45s at Valley Rangers FC in Kilkeel (7.45pm kick-off).

"We can't wait," Feeney told Belfast Live Sport.

"Our squad is Over 40s but both teams tonight are trying to keep it in the spirit of things and keeping the age as high as possible, so the average age of both teams is 46.

"We have been delighted by the response since we came up this idea. We have over 10 players in reserve after our 22 man squad, which is fantastic.

"The only thing is we're going to need a lot more games to keep everyone motivated!

"But it’s going well for us with over 20 players training every night."

Tonight's game will be aid of the New Beginnings Charitable Trust and Feeney (41) hopes people come down to watch the veterans strut their stuff.

"Anybody who maybe isn’t doing anything should try and get up to Valley Rangers pitch for a bit of entertainment and a chance to help raise some money for a good charity," Feeney added.

"A lot of men have come out of retirement and hopefully will continue on playing in our new project. It’s our first game together and it certainly won’t be the last.

"It’s gonna be very tough test against a seasoned Banbridge side who have experience playing together for a long time.

"But it will be good fun. The clubhouse is open from 7.30pm with food served afterwards. So it should be a good evening."

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