Kevin McNaughton is going head-to-head with Craig Bellamy in his benefit match at Cardiff City Stadium.
’Super Kev’ has named his team and Bellamy will be manager of their opponents on Sunday, March 26 (3pm).
Darren Purse, Paul Parry, Andy Campbell, Craig Noone and Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink are in Bellamy’s team for what should be a closely contested match.
Mark Hudson, Stephen McPhail, Riccy Scimeca, Don Cowie and Michael Chopra are among those playing for McNaughton.
Former Bluebirds captain Purse remembers McNaughton’s first training session with manager Dave Jones and the Cardiff players in 2006, saying: “A grey-haired guy in his early early-ish 20s turned up from Scotland and we couldn’t understand a word he was saying.
“We all did a bleep test and Kevin blew us away. He was certainly in the top three, which was remarkable.
“Naughts has a great engine and is a fantastic player who served Cardiff City superbly.
“He was one of Dave Jones’ best signings, among the best full-backs I’ve played alongside. Why he didn’t win more Scottish international caps I can’t explain.
“Kevin is so reliable, so quick and among the best 1v1 defenders around.
On top of that he’s a family man and a genuinely nice guy. The life and soul of the party whenever we had a social occasion.”
Purse, who now plays for Chesham United in the Southern League, is looking forward to playing in front of Cardiff fans again.
“It’s eight years or so since I left Cardiff and it will be great to catch up with former team-mates and supporters,” said Purse. “It’s going to be a special day for Kevin and I hope the fans turn out in force.”
Standard tickets for the match are £10 with concessions available and can be purchased via the Cardiff City ticket website: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cardiffcity/details/event.aspx?itemref=5452
The Ticket Office telephone number is 0845 345 1400.
Kevin McNaughton testimonial squads:
Super Kev’s team: Kevin McNaughton, Mark Hudson, Ben Turner, Lee Naylor, Stephen McPhail, Riccy Scimeca, Craig Conway, Don Cowie, Steven Thompson, Michael Chopra, Jon Parkin, Alex Winter, Matthew Pritchard, Barry McNaughton, Ross O’Donaghue, Darren Mackie plus one competition winning fan.
Bellamy’s Boys: Craig Bellamy, Andy Legg, Darren Purse, Peter Whittingham, Paul Parry, Robert Earnshaw, Andy Campbell, Trevor Sinclair, Craig Noone, Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink, Sean Connelly, Chris Barker, Jason Mohammad plus one competition winning fan.