THE Gascon Trophy, the annual clash between East Lancashire and The Fylde Coast, will see the old rivals lock horns at Burnley’s Ighten Leigh Social Club next month.

And this year celebrates the 15th Gascon Trophy competition after it was first contested in 2001 when a combined Fylde Coast and Lancashire team played Sheffield at the Aurbourthorne Hotel in the steel city.

That team contained a plethora of local snooker stars, Colin Morton skippered the side with Justin Astley, Wayne Morris, Duncan McNally, Lynette Horsborough, Gaz Hampson and Russell Large, with East Lancs winning the Roses clash 11-4.

“The Gascon Trophy has a tremendous history, and when you look back over the years and see some of the players involved then you realise how big a fixture it is,” said Burnley Snooker League spokesman Neil McGovern.

“There’s always some big names on show, really good professionals, and this year will be no exception with some of the best players in the county competing for the Gascon Trophy.”

The Fylde Coast are the current champions, and McGovern added: “We split the squad between four players from Clitheroe, five from Blackburn and six from Burnley, so all our areas are represented and that seems to work well.

“This year promises to be another terrific fixture, so I’m sure local snooker fans will be in for a real treat.”

The East Lancashire squad to compete for the Gascon Trophy: Duncan McNally, Wayne Cotterill, Chris Catlow, Glenn Stevenson, Simon Blackwell, Tony Greenwood, Jamie Southern, Johnny Hannon, Gaz Hampson, Craig Steele, Chris Lawson, Jimmy Waddington, Russel Large, Mark Riley, Mark Holmes.

The Gascon Trophy, Ighten Leigh Social Club, March 13. 1pm start.