A very special presentation is being held at Borough Park tomorrow ahead of Workington Reds’ FA Trophy tie with Ramsbottom.

John Hopper, father of popular former Reds midfielder Tony Hopper who died in October, will be presented with a framed No.8 Workington shirt.

It was one Tony wore 269 times for the Reds, 54 of them as captain, and will bear his name long with the inscription - Always a Red.

Tony, who had started his career with his home-town club Carlisle United, lost his brave fight against motor neurone disease amidst substantial fundraising efforts from the Cumbrian community.

His father will present the framed shirt back to the Reds so that it can be displayed permanently in the Borough Park Social Club.

Reds commercial manager Darrell Thomas said: "We are going to make the presentation in the Social Club at 2.30pm and we are sure that a lot of supporters would like to be there.

"Tony was a special player for this club and will never be forgotten.

"Having his shirt on permanent display will be a fitting tribute."

Tony was a member of the Workington side which scored a dramatic 3-2 win at AFC Wimbledon in the FA Trophy under Darren Edmondson.

It was the best performance by a Workington side in recent times.

Tomorrow, Reds look to get another FA Trophy run well under way as they host Ramsbottom in the first round proper, hopefully inspired by the memory of one of the club’s non-league greats.

But it won’t be easy against a side who have only lost once in their last 15 games and are moving into the promotion race in Evo-Stik Division One West.