ST ROCH'S and St Anthony's intend to roll out the red carpet for one of their favourite sons at the James McGrory Stadium tomorrow afternoon but sadly, Mark Ritchie a former team captain at both famous old Junior clubs, will not be around to savour the moment.

Powerfully built centre-back Mark tragically passed away in June aged only 34 years while working abroad in Ghana so it’s a measure of the big fellow’s immense popularity that his former teams have come together and agreed to meet in a commemorative fixture that is planned to become an annual tribute to him.

At this early stage of the season, clubs are often reluctant to deviate from preparations for the start of their new McBookie.com league campaigns, however you won’t find anyone connected with either of the Glasgow Saints looking upon the specially arranged friendly match (kick-off 2pm) as an intrusion.

Indeed his former managers Davie Greig (St Roch's) and James “Cotter” McKenna (St Anthony's) claim to have been inundated with requests from former team-mates of Mark (50 at the last count) desperate to pay their respects by taking part in the game.

And his family are doing their bit to preserve his memory by donating a Mark Ritchie Memorial Trophy for the teams to contest and plans are also afoot for two of his siblings Owen and Mathew to line-up for the Candy Rock while best friend Brian McCann and remaining brother Dominic turn out for the Ants.

A more subdued than normal Cotter revealed last night: “Mark was a wonderful guy to have around a dressing room and few if any people ever had a bad word to say about him and he was so humble into the bargain.

“Indeed I cannot think of any player more deserving of the description Gentle Giant, both on and off the pitch, because the big man never seemed to get upset and I still laugh when thinking back to the night he signed for St Anthony's.

“He was playing for St Roch's in a Saracen Park clash with Ashfield and I just couldn’t take my eyes off this imposing red haired defender who was crunching into tackles one minute and the next setting off on mazy runs upfield with ball at feet and literally swatting aside any opponents in his path.

“My desperation to get his signature saw me approaching him in the car park afterwards and initially he was a bit reluctant to leave the Candy but I had done my homework and discovered he was a staunch Celtic supporter.

“So I then played my ace card in reminding Mark that St Anthony's played in the Hoops and his face lit up at that prospect and he made his mind up there and then.

“He was a fantastic leader for us and a big favourite of our players and supporters so I imagine many of them will take in Sunday’s game and I really hope a decent crowd is in attendance as all proceeds are being donated to the Make A Wish Foundation which was Mark’s favourite charity.”

As part of the well thought out celebrations of Mark’s life, there will be a minute’s silence before the game followed by a minute’s applause after five minutes play (his number) and both Greig and McKenna will wear the number 5 jersey when coming on as second half substitutes.

Meanwhile, fellow Govanite outfit Benburb's feat in taking a high profile scalp in midweek with a high-scoring 4-3 victory over Arthurlie was all the more notable for the appearance of three members of the Lovering family.

Leading Bens club official and former manager Frank looked on with pride as his teenage grandson Lewis made his Junior debut in a much-depleted line-up that also included his father Paul and uncle Richard.

Frank revealed: “Lewis plays for Drumchapel Amateurs Under 18’s yet never looked out of place against a team of Arthurlie’s quality.”

Lowland League side East Kilbride, fresh from offloading ex-Dundee winger Ryan Gemmell to Glasgow Perthshire, are continuing to dabble in the Junior transfer market and are keen to broker a deal for their transfer- listed right-back Chris Gebbie.

And yet another recruit to Auchinleck Talbot’s ranks is former Morton midfielder Dylan Stevenson who was previously on loan at Dalry Thistle.