The ghosts of Harrogate rugby past are lacing up their boots once again as the Harrogate Veterans take on the Yorkshire Wooden Spoon XV in a special curtain-raiser ahead of the Harrogate 1st XV’s clash with Ilkley.

The game is being played in memory of club legend Graham “Sizzy” Sizwick, a man who was the soul of Harrogate RUFC. Sizzy’s energy, humour, and endless dedication to the club as team manager for many seasons left a mark on everyone he worked with, it’s only fitting that his old boys are coming together to celebrate him in true Harrogate style: with a bit of rugby, a couple of Pernods, and probably a few pulled hamstrings.

All players selected for the Harrogate side had the honour of playing under Sizzy’s management during their time in the 1st XV. Manager Chris Wilson has bravely taken on the task of herding this group of ex-players.

Leading the charge are veterans Andy Boyd and James Spencer, rumoured to still be arguing over whose lineout calls were better back in 2012. Rob Johnson is back too, though he’s reportedly spent the past week on a strict stretching programme mainly to be able to bend over and tie his boot laces.

The backline sees familiar names like Phil Wickham, Luke Edwards, and Calum Irvine, three men who’ll either light up the field or pull up with a calf strain before half time. Dickie Davies has promised a kicking display reminiscent of his prime, which, according to sources, ended somewhere around his scorpion kick in 2013.

Nick Beaumont, Willem Enslin, and Jonny Coser will add a bit of grit up front, or at least provide comic relief when the scrums go down for the fifth reset. There’s also a strong contingent of club stalwarts including Andrew Lawson, Kerry Wood, George Stuffins, and the ever-reliable Tim Heaton, who insists he is not going to butcher any scrum push over tries from his position at number 8.

Supporting the squad are Ben Hardy, Steve Parsons, and Tom Harvey on water duty which, will probably be substituted for isotonic lager before the first whistle.

The fixture isn’t just a celebration of old times, it’s also in support of the Yorkshire Wooden Spoon charity, the children’s charity of rugby. Money raised on the day will go towards helping disadvantaged children across the region.

After the veterans’ match, attention will turn to the 1st XV’s game against Ilkley at 14:00, preceded by an Act of Remembrance delivered by the club, with the Tewit Youth Band providing a bugler to perform The Last Post and Reveille.

So come down early, enjoy a full day of rugby, raise a glass to Sizzy, and support two great causes, club legend Graham Sizwick’s legacy and the Yorkshire Wooden Spoon charity.

And if you hear the unmistakable sound of creaking joints and distant groans… don’t worry. That’s just the warm up.