An Aston Villa Legends XI will play a combined Galway/West United XI at the official opening of Deacy Park in the autumn.
The game, expected to take place towards the end of August, will be the centrepiece of a celebration of the life of Galway's greatest ever footballer, Eamon 'Chick' Deacy.
Three of the clubs Deacy served so well, Villa, Galway, and West United will all be highly involved in the occasion at the Dyke Road venue.
An organising committee involving members of the Galway FA, West United, and GUST has already commenced planning for the game which will be a tribute to Deacy, who played his last match for the Jodie Curran managed West team he adored in a Jack Lillis Cup semi-final victory over Crumlin in 2009 at South Park.
West was where Deacy's footballing journey started and fittingly finished, but in between there were spells with Limerick, Sligo Rovers, Aston Villa, and Derby County.
Deacy was a widely respected figure at Villa Park and a tribute to honour his service was held during the March 31 Barclays Premier League fixture against Chelsea at which the Deacy family were special guests.
On Tuesday evening a large crowd gathered at Monroe’s Tavern where GUST launched its range of Euro 2012 merchandise in honour of Eamon Deacy, in association with the Deacy family. The funds raised from the sale of the sportswear will be shared with the Peter McVerry Trust and GUST.
The merchandise is on sale from the GUST office at Terryland Park; from O'Brien’s Newsagents, William Street, Galway; and from Monroe’s Tavern, Dominick Street. Merchandise will also be on sale at the GUST stand this Saturday at the Eyre Square Centre, and on-line at www.galwaysoccer.com
