BRAGGING rights will be on the line when two brothers go head-to-head in Worcester City’s clash with Worcester Raiders today (3pm).

City’s Jordan Stoddart and Raiders’ Logan Stoddart are set to face each other on the football field for the first time when the two teams meet at Claines Lane.

Hundreds of fans are expected to turn out for the eagerly-awaited friendly but one notable person who will not be there to witness the duo in action will be their dad, Phil Stoddart.

The 52-year-old from Tolladine will be in Turkey with his wife, Sam, when the match kicks off and he admitted he was “gutted” to miss the chance of seeing his sons go into battle.

“It would have been emotional for me and Sam but we won’t be there as we are off on holiday,” he said.

“It will be divided loyalties on Saturday.

“If I was there I probably would have stood on the halfway line with a foot in each half as they are both stars to me. I love both of them to bits so there is no way I will pick one over the other. It has happened to me before where I have played against my brother and he has put one over on me and claimed the bragging rights.

“I am going to FaceTime them before the game and straight afterwards but obviously one of them will be happy and the other one won’t be.”

Phil has played an active role in the pair’s footballing careers as he gave Jordan and Logan their Midland League debuts at 16 years old at Archdales and Perrywood respectively.

They also both played under their father when he was manager of Perrywood before they went on to play together at Bishops Cleeve in the Southern League.

Centre-back Jordan, 26, had a spell at Cirencester before joining City last summer while full-back Logan, 23, left Bishops for Raiders at the start of the 2017-18 campaign.

And Phil, whose youngest son, Colton, also plays football, does not expect either Jordan or Logan to hold back when they lock horns.

“They both look out for each other as they have got a fantastic bond but they both want to win,” he said.

“I think after the game they will be laughing and joking with each other and there will be no animosity.

“But it will be a surreal moment for both of them when they square up in a game against each other.

“Jordan is a very dominant centre-half whereas Logan is a very forward-minded full-back.

“I would imagine there will be a time when Logan runs down that flank and Jordan may have to come across and cover which will be interesting.

“But I am sure they will be fine and will pick the other up after a challenge as they have got so much respect for each other.”