Some of the most iconic names from the last 25 years of Cumbrian football are heading to Brunton Park next month for a major charity game in support of Tony Hopper.

A host of Hopper's former Carlisle and Workington Reds team-mates will be involved in the match at United's ground.

They are all heading to the stadium on Sunday, May 21 to show their backing for former midfielder Hopper as he battles motor neurone disease.

A who's who of ex-Blues favourites will include French cult hero defender Stephane Pounewatchy, who played alongside Carlisle-born Hopper in the 1990s.

Hopper's fellow home-grown stars Matt Jansen and Rory Delap are also set to play along with popular figures such as Steve Hayward, David Reeves, Dean Walling, Rod Thomas, Steve Soley and Andy Watson.

More recent former United players such as Peter Murphy and Chris Lumsdon will also be involved.

The Reds line-up, meanwhile, will include city-born former Premier League striker Grant Holt plus keeper Adam Collin.

Former United managers Mick Wadsworth and Ian Atkins will be taking charge of the Blues line-up, with Darren Edmondson and Dave Hewson overseeing the Reds XI.

The game is being organised by former United player Derek Walsh, Ian Milburn of IM Events, and United's matchday announcer Colin Carter.

They said the support for Hopper from players far and wide has been overwhelming.

Carter said: "The amount of responses we've had has been phenomenal.

"People are going out of their way to be part of it.

"As an example, I spoke to Stephane, who is in Africa, and he is flying in for the game. 'For Hoppy, not a problem,' he said.

"It shows the standing and respect everyone has for Tony."

Because of the number of ex-players eager to be involved, the game is likely to be played in three thirds which will represent different stages of Hopper's career.

It will begin with many of his former United youth team colleagues like Jansen, Delap, Tony Caig, Richard Prokas, Gary Gill, Mark Cleeland and Chris Grainger.

The next stage will involve more names from Carlisle's mid-1990s heyday such as Pounewatchy, Reeves, Walling and Hayward.

The latter part will then see more recent names take the field.

Other former United men expected to feature include Carlisle-born ex-Liverpool man Steve Harkness, David Brightwell, Brendan McGill, Lee Maddison, Matty Glennon, Peter Keen, Carl Heggs, Billy Barr and Andy Couzens.

"Hopefully there will be more - we are still trying to get hold of David Currie for example," Carter said.

The Reds contingent, meanwhile, is set to include more players who have represented both clubs, such as Will Varty, Gavin Skelton, Mark Boyd and Kyle May, plus fellow ex-Workington favourites Graham Goulding, John Wharton and Stuart Williamson.

"We'd like to thank the people at Carlisle United who have helped ensure we can use Brunton Park for this special occasion," Carter added.

"Some local businesses have also been very supportive, such as Direct Rail Services, Stobarts and Hodgson's Newsagents. Any further offers of help would be gratefully accepted."

Tickets are £5 and all proceeds will be shared by the Motor Neurone Disease Association, Carlisle United Community Sports Trust, Great North Air Ambulance and Jigsaw Hospice.

They are available from United's ticket office, the Cumberland Building Society on Fisher Street in Carlisle, Hodgson's Newsagents on Lowther Street, McCall's Bakery on Upperby Road and YESSS Electrical on Currock Road.

The News & Star is also backing the Hopper family's bid to raise cash and awareness for the MND Association with our Fighting Back for Tony campaign.