A GRADUATE from the class of ‘92 will help tackle Burnley legends in a charity match in appreciation of a veteran PE teacher.

Former Manchester United defender Chris Casper, who played alongside the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Paul Schools in the Utd youth team, will join other former pupils of Mick Ennis, who has taught at Blessed Trinity School — formerly St Theodore's High School — for 38 years, on Sunday November 23.

They will take on Vintage Clarets, a team of former players including John Deary, Roger Eli, Graham Lancashire, George Organi and David Eyres, to raise money for Pendleside Hospice, where Mr Ennis is currently being treated for cancer.

The team of ‘Teds’ include ex-Accrington Stanley striker Paul Mullin, his brother John, who played for Sunderland, Burnley, and Stanley, and former Hull City player Dean Stowe.

The match will be played at Burnley Belvedere Football Club, in Holden Road, from 1.30pm, and was organised by 37-year-old Nick Palich, who left the school in 1994.

He said: “Mick has worked at the school for more than 40 years so that’s lots of teams and kids he came into contact with. He has put so much of his own time into it. He is battling cancer and is having treatment at Pendleside Hospice.

“It’s an appreciation match for all his hard work.”

Burnley star Danny Ings has also donated a pair of football boots for auction, while cricketing legend James 'Jimmy' Anderson, born and bred in Burnley, has given a signed shirt.

Mr Ennis guided eight football teams to Lancashire Cup finals, and to one national final, and is well known throughout the town.

He also managed cricket teams to three Lancashire Cricket finals, and taught England cricketer James ‘Jimmy’ Anderson.

He is secretary at Burnley Belvedere Cricket Club, where he played for 20 years.

In September, Mick's brother Anthony cycled 100 miles in Scotland for Macmillan Cancer Research to raise money for the nurses who treated him.

He said: "Michael is an inspiration to all his family and friends, and is supported by us all. Michael’s personal challenge is to live as normal a life as possible, one day at a time.

“He is somebody who lives life and never stops still.

“Michael has spent countless ‘out-of-school’ hours supporting pupils to reach their sporting ambitions.

“Without adding drama, the cycle is for a good cause because there’s not many people who are not affected by cancer in one way or another.”

Among those who have donated to Pendleside Hospice, which said it 'promotes and enhances quality of life for people with a life-limiting illness, their family, and their carers', was Linda Haworth.

She said: "Pendleside Hospice gives hope, comfort and strength to all who walk through their door. Thank you."

Phil Haggerty said: "[Mick's] enthusiasm for sport was incredible and infectious. A truly inspirational man."

And Nicky Hope added: "Mick helped me enjoy some of the best years of my life at St Theodore's. He taught me educationally, in all sports, and most of all in life skills and the difference between right and wrong."

To donate to Pendleside Hospice, visit www.justgiving.com/mick-ennis