SOME of the biggest stars of British TV and a couple of sporting legends feature in this fascinating little programme of a football match that took place at the then Hoghton Road home of St Helens Town.

The charity game took place in September 1977 between a Showbiz XI and the St Cuthberts All Stars with both teams fielding household names.

St Helens Star:

The Showbiz team features Anthony Booth - the father in law of Tony Blair - who was Alf Garnett's argumentative son-in-law in Till Death Us Do Part.

Other major TV stars are Dennis Waterman, who was in his Sweeney days before moving on to Minder, Robert Lindsay of Get Some In and Citizen Smith fame and top stage and screen actor Robert Powell.

From the music world The Kinks lead singer Ray Davies is in the Showbiz line-up.

The All Stars line up features plenty of local football talent, plus former Saints player and coach Billy Benyon who was no mean footballer in his younger days and had trials at pro level.

Rugby playing brothers Eric and Dave Chisnall are also in the line-up with Radio City's St Helens DJ Norman Thomas.

St Helens Star:

Equally fascinating in the programme are the adverts including several for pubs that are no longer with us.

Amongst the lost pubs advertised are the Scarisbrick Arms, located where the Landings Roundabout is now, and then run by Pat and Bert Pritchard.

Exchange Vaults - Chessies - is listed and that was run by the Guvnor John Sines.

St Helens Star:

Sutton and Parr boozers The Oddfellows, Cherry Tree, Bulls Head, Bee Hive, Glassmakers and the Boundary Vaults are all advertising in there.

The back page advert is taken by bookmaker Matty Coan.

The programme cost 25p but if your number came out of the prize draw then the lucky person won a tenner. Not to be sniffed at in 1977. 

Did you attend this game or take part in the match - or do you have any memories of it and what it was for?

If so, let us know: mike.critchley@nqnw.co.uk