GRAHAM Millens' 25-year era as chairman of Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds will end on Saturday when the team host Garswood United at Long Lane at 3pm.

Millens, respectfully known as the Colonel in football circles, is inviting friends and past players to join him at Tetley Walker club on his final day at the helm.

More details are available from Ted Stubbs on 01925 821944.

As well as being chairman for 25 years, Graham has also been associated with the Mid-Cheshire League for 10 years and the Warrington Soccer League for 40 years.

He has donated a trophy to Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds in his honour.

During his era, Graham has been to five Guardian Cup Finals, has seen the development of Bennett's Recreation Ground as an enclosed pitch, and addressed the Mid-Cheshire League committee to be accepted into their league.

He has also steered the club through bad times when the clubhouse was burned down at Bennett's Rec, leaving the pitch and changing facilities rendered useless.

Then, with the backing of Poulton and Fearnhead Parish Council, he kept the club alive by integrating with Greenalls FC, which has given both clubs a new lease of life with the use of two enclosed pitches at Tetley Walkers and Bennett's Rec.

Graham knows he leaves one of Warrington's oldest and best football clubs, formed in 1935.

The club now runs three teams, two in the Mid Cheshire and in the Warrington and District, with a dedicated management set-up that Graham knows will continue to prosper and succeed in his absence.