IT was a night of nostalgia at St George's Lane as players from Worcester City's past and present gathered for a special centenary match.

City's Southern League title-winning squad of 1979 were reunited for the first time in many years, and received a tremendous welcome from supporters.

Players from the more rec-ent past took on City's current squad in a keenly-fought contest.

Today's players won 4-0 with goals from Adam Webster (2), Leon Jackson and Mark Owen, but the result was irrelevant amid the renewing of old friendships and the sharing of memories.

From the 1979 side, current City manager John Barton and his predecessor Graham Allner rubbed shoulders again with men such as Jimmy and Barry Williams, Kevin Tudor, Lionel Martin, Malcolm Phelps, Gary Stevens and Ralph Punsheon.

Goalkeeper Jimmy Cumbes was visiting St George's Lane for the first time since his playing career ended.

Cumbes, who also played cricket for Worcestershire and is now chief executive at Lancashire, said: "I had some great times here and it is nice to be back.

"I have seen one or two of the players over the years but the others I haven't seen in all that length of time."

Kenny Lawrance, a defensive kingpin until a serious injury forced him to quit the season after the title triumph, was back for the first time in around 10 years.

He said: "It was a nice friendly club who knew what they wanted to achieve.

"The crowd was always very supportive and there was an unbelievable atmosphere down here, particularly when we were doing well."

The past players' side, managed by former boss George Rooney, was also very well received with the likes of Steve Fergusson, John Mc-Grath, Joe Jackson and Paul Moore showing they had lost none of their ability.

Andy Awford and Mark Gayle, who both progressed from City to play in the Football League, were also much in evidence.

Striker Steve Rutter flew in from Dubai, where he now lives, to take part in the match.

Rutter said: "I wouldn't have missed this for the world. The most special time I ever had in football was at Worcester.

"The fans made me feel very welcome and I had a fantastic rapport with them."