LAYER Road legends are set to roll back the years at a charity football match this weekend.

Ex-Colchester United skipper Karl Duguid will lead a team packed with the club's former favourites in a special Hope for Grace fundraiser game at Stanway Rovers FC, on Saturday.

Playing alongside Duguid at the Hawthorns will be the likes of Lomana Lua Lua, Jamie Cureton, George Elokobi, John White, Joe Keith and Craig Fagan.

They will take on a Hope for Grace side at the event being staged in aid of five-year-old Grace Beverton, who has a rare genetic disorder.

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Grace is one of just 80 people in the world who have what is referred to by scientists as RHOBTB2, which caused her life-threatening seizures when she was only five months old.

Duguid said: "It's a fantastic event to be involved in and it's all about raising money for a great cause.

"There will be plenty of Layer Road legends on show.

"We've got some real good guys coming along and they're all people that I've played alongside.

"They're people that are not just good footballers but good people that I've met along the way.

"The likes of Sean Marks, Adam Bailey-Dennis and Carl Pentney are also coming along, plus a lot of the youth team players that I played alongside at Colchester.

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"It's all about raising money for Grace to help bring her up if you like and raise awareness for any treatments.

"Grace is a lovely, happy little girl and I've got to know her dad Dale really well."

Grace's father and Colchester fan Dale Beverton spends every waking hour fundraising when he’s not working as a police officer.

Through the Hope for Grace fundraiser, which is part of the larger umbrella charity called Tree of Hope, Mr Beverton has raised nearly £48,500.

It goes towards a range of treatments and equipment to boost Grace’s quality of life.

The Hope for Grace charity match kicks off at 2pm on Saturday, at Stanway Rovers FC - gates open at 12.30pm.

Children's coaching activities will run from 12.45pm and 1.15pm on the pitch, prior to the game.

There will also be inflatables on the 3G pitch, with barbecue food and cakes on offer along with a bar.

Tickets available on the day priced at £5 for adults and £2 for children, with all proceeds raised will go towards Hope for Grace.

The teams' shirts will be sponsored by Tollgate-based Knight West Estate Agents.

The Hope for Grace charity fundraiser is supported by Tree of Hope, which is a charity which helps parents fundraise for specialist care not available on the healthcare system.

Donations can be made here http://www.treeofhope.org.uk/grace-beverton