MANY of the top British players of their generation have been booked to appear in Plymouth when Manchester United's Legends take on their Argyle counterparts this summer.

The visit of the Red Devils greats to Home Park on Saturday, May 26 will be the highlight of a two-day festival of golf and football.

Organised by the Green Taverners fans' group, the events tee off with a golf day on Friday, May 25, at China Fleet, while the weekend also has a gala dinner.

Supporters will be able to attend both the golf and the dinner, where they will get the chance to rub shoulders with members of the acclaimed United Legends team.

And, of course, the next day watch the likes of former Old Trafford stars, Frank Stapleton, Sammy McIlroy, Dennis Irwin and David May in action on the field.

Aside from the kudos of persuading a much-sought after global brand like the United Legends to fit Plymouth into their busy fixture list, most of the profits from the initiative will go towards accelerating payments to Argyle's staff.

Leading the United front at yesterday's press conference at China Fleet, was Alex Stepney and Arthur Albiston, while Tommy Tynan, Johnny Hore and Steve Davey represented the host club's own legends.

In total, it was reckoned the five former footballers had racked up more than 2,000 appearances for their respective clubs.

Stepney, who racked up 539 appearances for United and played in the Red Devils' European Cup winning side of 1968, and Scotland-born left-back Albiston, 485 appearances for the Old Trafford outfit in 14 seasons, said they were delighted to have finally nailed the deal to come to Plymouth.

And, like most footballers, both are keen golfers and were looking forward to playing the local course.

Stepney said a return to Home Park, though, for him, was well over due, given that it was October 1977 when he and United played host to St Etienne in Plymouth.

"That was in the second leg of the European Cup Winners' Cup and we came to Plymouth because of the fans trouble out in France," said Stepney.

"It was a terrific occasion and the atmosphere was fantastic and the right result was had, United won 2-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.

"Hopefully, we'll get the same result with the Legends against Argyle this time.

"We'd hoped to come to Plymouth before, only with the club in difficulties off the field it was hard to plan.

"But now under a new owner and with the help of the Greens Taverners, we'll be looking to putting on a performance and entertaining the crowd.

"The emphasis has to be on entertainment, although the matches will be played for real, as I'm sure Argyle will want to beat us and we won't want to go away defeated."

Albiston, who has played at Home Park with West Bromwich Albion and Chester City, said Argyle's financial plight had touched and reminded him and a number of other United Legends, that Plymouth was a 'terrific footballing city'.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to playing down here again with the Legends and playing a bit of golf.

"We'd been trying for ages to get the game on in Plymouth through the good work of Paul Hart at the Argyle Legends.

"Thankfully, we've got it nailed now and I'm sure it's going to be a memorable occasion."

Albiston said he was looking forward to meeting up again with Argyle legend Tynan, as it had been a while since they'd played against one another.

Tynan recalled the occasion and said: "I remember me and Arthur are of the same vintage, age-wise and we came up against one another, me for Liverpool reserves and youth teams and him, of course, the other lot, United.

"Like Steve (Davey) and Johnny (Hore) and the rest of the Argyle Legends, we're looking forward to playing them and, hopefully, putting on a show for the fans.

"At the end of the day it's all having fun and raising cash. I believe the Argyle Legends have raised near £200,000 for charities, so this match and the whole weekend, should help the causes hugely."