TOMMY Saunders manages a Chippenham Town side one more time this weekend as local football pays tribute to one of its favourite sons.

John Woods has always been one of most popular footballers around. Over the past six months, as he has battled against cancer, he has also proved himself one of the bravest.

The 32-year-old Corsham Town stalwart has undergone two major operations and a course of chemotherapy as he fights the disease, but has remained upbeat and stoical throughout his treatment.

On Sunday Corsham Town are staging a charity match in his honour, with all the proceeds going to the Dorothy House hospice.

The opposition will be provided by a team assembled by former Chippenham manager Tommy Saunders, including most of the players who took the Bluebirds to Wembley for the FA Vase final in 2000. Woods was a member of that team.

Woods said: "It should be a great day and I am looking forward to meeting up with a few people I haven't see for a while.

"I've had a couple of setbacks with the treatment and it's a slow process, but I am remaining positive.

'I've always been a positive person and have tried to remain chipper over the past six months.

"Sunday's game is all about raising as much money as we can for Dorothy House and I hope we get a really big crowd."

Saunders says most of his 2000 squad will be playing.

"Lee Burns and Ian Murphy are away and I have not been able to contact Dave Godley, but all the rest should be there.

"Other players who helped Chippenham win promotion, like Nathan Rudge, Matt Rawlins, Dave Bright and Grantley Dicks, will also be playing.

"It was always my aim to get the 2000 FA Vase team back together again and this way we can raise some funds for an amazingly good cause.

"Most of us know someone who has suffered from cancer. Dorothy House looked after my dad and I cannot speak highly enough of the care he received there."

Sunday's match at The Southbank kicks-off at 3pm and admission is £3 for adults and £1.50 for senior citizens.

Saunders' team will be playing in Chippenham Town's kit from last season and that will be auctioned at the end of the match, with proceeds going in to the fund.

Also on offer is a Real Madrid shirt, signed by all the Spanish club's stars. Bids for that close at midnight Friday.

Saunders is also offering one fan the chance to play for his team for the last 30 minutes of Sunday's match. The place will go to the highest bidder.

Said Saunders: "You will never find anyone in local football to have a bad word to say about John Woods.

"Sunday is all about raising as much money as possible for Dorothy House, but I reckon it could be quite a good game as well. We're certainly not going there to lose."