FOR most people just shy of retirement, being involved in football comes courtesy of switching on their Sky digital box and watching the Premiership from the comfort of their own home.

But for seasoned non-league professional Paul Pitfield, 58, from Ruislip, the temptation to lace up the boots for perhaps one last time proved too great after he agreed to be part of an Amersham Town vets side who face a current Magpies XI at Spratleys Meadow on Sunday (kick-off at 2pm).

The former Ruislip Manor, Amersham Town and Beaconsfield SYCOB boss, who, on very limited resources helped the Magpies hold their own in the then heights of the London Spartan League Premier Division in the mid to late 1990s, is arguably one of most successful managers in Town's 119-year history.

Pitfield, who was remarkably still playing Sunday football until the end of last season, joined the Magpies in the late 1980s after a successful playing career with former Isthmian League side Ruislip Manor.

He took up the post of first team manager at Spratleys Meadow in 1994 and helped guide the club, most notably, to the final of the St Mary's Cup and to the first round proper of the FA Vase in 1997 on no playing budget.

Pitfield will now take charge of a 90s team which, for many of the old Amersham faces returning, the exhibition fixture provides an opportunity to be, quite literally, on a level playing field as they take on their modern-day counterparts.

In fact, the sight of Town's new pitch, changing room facilities and function suite is likely to leave many returning Magpies stumped for words - many of whom will recall having to tackle the infamous sloping pitch and endure many a cold shower afterwards.

The club, based in School Lane, Amersham, will be hosting a barbecue along with other bar refreshments from 12.30pm.