Runaway First Division leaders Charlton Athletic could provide attractive pre-season Roots Hall opposition for Southend United - as the main attraction of former Seasiders star Ron Pountney's long overdue testimonial match.

Pountney should have been awarded a benefit match in 1986, following ten years of loyal service, but the popular Blues midfielder's scheduled charity clash against West Ham was cancelled and to this date has never been rearranged.

However, the Bilston born schemer's 14-year wait could finally be over, as the Addicks, whose Premiership bound squad includes a host of ex-Southend players, have agreed to a provisional August showdown.

"Charlton have expressed a strong interest in coming to Roots Hall and would be the ideal opposition for Southend United to take on pre-season," said a delighted Pountney, who is now 45 and still lives in Eastwood.

"I'm sure this fixture would attract a good crowd as there are strong links between both clubs and I know we've got a few Charlton fans living in the Southend area."

Former Blues heroes, goalkeeper Simon Royce, defenders Chris Powell and Anthony Barness, plus midfielder Keith Jones, currently play for the south London outfit and are sure to play in the match.

However, Pountney, who played in 403 games for Southend scoring 35 goals and was voted player of the season on three separate occasions, revealed that even more old faces were being lined-up for a surprise return.

Pountney hopes to reunite the side he played in during the 1980/81 campaign, which won Blues' only major honour to date, the Fourth Division Championship.

"It would be great to get the old boys back together for a warm-up match against an old Charlton side before the main event," he said.

"I still speak to Micky Stead and Gary Nelson, who as a former Charlton player has been instrumental in my testimonial plans, plus some of the other players who live further afield, such as Derek Spence, who would also love to come back.

"I'm sure we'd be able to relive a few old memories over a few drinks, although not many of them are printable."

Pountney is grateful to Southend's current hierarchy for helping him to resurrect his benefit match, even if it has taken more than a decade to finally get the game back on track.

"I've been waiting so long the admission prices at Roots Hall have gone through the roof, but I'm not going to complain about inflation boosting my testimonial fund," he joked.

Blues were due to be in reserve team action against Swindon Town at Roots Hall this afternoon, kick-off 2pm - full match report in tomorrow's Echosport.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.