Words John Edwards

THE countdown is all but done, a rundown of the two squads has been presented in detail over the past 11 days and it is now all systems go for Stuart Coburn's testimonial at The J.Davidson Stadium tomorrow.

The stage is set for around 40 of Stuart's former team-mates to roll back the years and turn it on for an Altrincham 2005 Xl versus Altrincham 2014 Xl testimonial match that kicks off at 3.30pm on what promises to be a sunny and thoroughly memorable Sunday afternoon.

All that's still needed is Alty fans turning out in force to complete a perfect tribute to one of the club's true greats, a brilliant goalkeeper with a personality to match and the holder of a record that will surely last in perpetuity after clocking up a remarkable 689 first-team appearances.

Ticket sales have been going well for an event kindly sponsored by Jones Contracts, but you can still buy yours, if you haven't already. They cost just £5 for adults and £2 for under-18s and can be purchased here.

If you would rather pay at the gate, please do. There will be at least one cash turnstile at the Golf Road End, and gates will be opening at 2.30pm, an hour before kick-off.

Whichever form of entry you favour, just make sure you are there. The weather seems set fair, and if anyone deserves to step out at The J.Davidson Stadium one last time to the sights and sounds of a bumper turn-out, it is Stuart Coburn.

The facts speak for themselves, but Stuey's contribution to the Alty cause extended far beyond mere statistics. He was a shot-stopper without parallel, regularly drawing gasps with saves that didn't seem possible, and every appreciative Alty fan who serenaded him as England Number One will have their own particular favourite memory of his heroics between the posts.

His illustrious career began at Maine Road and then Irlam Town, and he spent three seasons at Trafford before launching his record-breaking Alty career in 1997-98.

A brief stay at Leigh RMI, where he was their player of the year in 2002-03 proved the prelude to an era of unbroken brilliance at Moss Lane after he returned to the fold on October 17th 2003.

That unrivalled era sadly drew to a close when his dream of reaching the landmark of 1,000 Alty appearances was dashed by an injury suffered away to Dover Athletic that effectively forced him into retirement in April 2016.

But what a servant, what a goalkeeper and what a character. No-one will forget his post-match ritual of facing Alty fans in the crowd and cranking up the volume with a clenched fist that was eventually thrust into the air when he felt the noise levels were high enough.

Great days, and he will doubtless re-enact it one last time tomorrow when his final appearance on the Moss Lane turf comes to an end.

It will be an afternoon packed with nostalgia, though there may well be a glimpse into the future as well, with Stuart's elder son Finn, a 16-year old attacking midfielder who is in the Altrincham education programme, lined up to take part.

Finn has been training with Alty's Reserves and even turned out for them towards the end of last season, while Stuart's other son, nine-year-old Jack, who is already showing promise in midfield or defence, will also be in attendance.

As yet another attraction, Graham Heathcote will be prowling the technical area once more as manager of the 2005 squad, with Matt Doughty taking the reins as boss of their 2014 counterparts.

Never has there been a more deserving recipient of a testimonial than Stuart, and he is hoping to see Alty fans young and old turning out in force, not least as he is is eager to raise as much as possible for his chosen charity, the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, in memory of two of his former team-mates, Mark Maddox and George Melling.