England captain due to play

By [csweet]

ENGLAND captain John Terry is poised to swap Stamford Bridge for Huish Park on Saturday for Terry Skiverton's testimonial.

The Chelsea defender and brother of former Yeovil Town midfielder Paul Terry is due to play in defence for the Terry Skiverton Select XI.

One-time Chelsea stars Dennis Wise, Tore Andre Flo and Gus Poyet are likely to play alongside the Terry brothers as they face the Yeovil team who earned promotion to the Football League in 2003.

Skiverton's close friend Muzzy Izzet, Bristol City striker Lee Trundle and former Glovers Marcus Stewart, Adam Stansfield Arron Davies, Chris Cohen and Phil Jevons are also expected to play in the match (3pm).

The majority of the side that ended Yeovil's 108-year stay in non-League football is due to be boosted by the addition of former Huish Park keeper Tony Pennock, defender Scott Guyett and strikers Warren Patmore and Carl Alford.

Speculation had been mounting as to who would feature in the match, with organisers biding their time to make an announcement.

Skiverton explained that this was in an attempt to prevent disappointment and to ensure availability. The majority of those expected to turn out on Saturday are still playing professionally and required permission from their respective clubs to be involved.

Skiverton said: "I understand that a lot of supporters were a bit disappointed we did not release the names quicker but when you are trying to get hold of the England captain it is very hard.

"What I did not want to say is that this or that player is coming and all of a sudden they all let you down and do not end up playing.

"When they actually do tell you they are going to come down it makes it much safer for me.

"It was not just John Terry – there are other people who had to get permission.

"You have got to wait for them to speak to their managers and everybody we have put down on the list has been ticked off."

The 33 year old said that the extensive contacts available to team-mate and friend Darren Way had helped secure two competitive squads for the match.

"Darren has been making a lot of phone calls for me," said Skiverton.

"So from my testimonial I think I am going to have to chip in and pay his phone bill."

The Skiverton Select XI also boasts television and radio presenters.

Soccer AM's Tubes, a Chelsea fan, is due to feature, as is BBC radio's Mark Chapman, also known as Chappers.

TEAMS IN FULL – Yeovil Town 2002-3 Nationwide Conference XI, managed by Gary Johnson: Chris Weale, Steve Collis, Tony Pennock, Adam Lockwood, Terry Skiverton, Abdelhalim El-Kholti, Gavin Williams, Lee Johnson, Ben Smith, Michael McIndoe, Kirk Jackson, Warren Patmore, Nick Crittenden, Roy O'Brien, Tom White, Dave Piper, Andy Lindegaard, Colin Miles, Scott Guyett, Carl Alford, Kevin Gall.

Terry Skiverton Select XI, managed by Colin Lippiatt: Mike Milligan, Dennis Wise, Lee Trundle, Keith O'Neill, Muzzy Izzet, Geoff Twentyman, David Lee, Gus Poyet, Tore Andre Flo, John Terry, Paul Terry, Marcus Stewart, Adam Stansfield, Tubes, Mark Chapman, Chris Cohen, Arron Davies, Phil Jevons, Michael Duberry, Andy Wallace.