Gregory died last year after developing a debilitating illness known as progressive muscular atrophy – a form of motor neurone disease - after being bitten by a tick while in Australia in 2003.

He was such a popular man that rugby players from around Chorley and South Ribble will pull on the shirt of the Chorley Spartans team to take on Warrington-based Latchford Albion after the Chorley Panthers tournament.

Organiser Gary Worthington said: "We are looking forward to the game and over the last couple of weeks we've stepped up training. It guarantees to be a great atmosphere as there will be parents and children at the Chorley Panthers tournament.

"We are just thankful to the Panthers for letting us use their facilities and to play after the tournament at 3pm."

Last year the event was a huge success and £3,200 was raised for the Mike Gregory Fund but the organisers are hoping the Spartans will be a match for their opponents.

Gary said: "In the past we had only two lads who played league before and we put together a team of 18 players who wanted to win. But we lost 34-6 and even though it was not a hammering we want to do better. This year we have more players with league experience."

Money raised is being donated to research into tick bites and also to help Gregory's two sons Sam and Ben. For details about the game log on to www.chorleyspartans.co.uk