ALTRINCHAM’S greatest ever manager and four of their most iconic players will relive the glory years of the late 70s and early 80s at a tribute evening at Moss Lane.

The Manchester Glass Ltd sponsors’ lounge will be awash with nostalgia tonight (Thursday) when ex-Alty greats John King, Graham Heathcote, Jeff Johnson and John Rogers take their place alongside Tony Sanders for a dinner to mark eight years of unparalleled success under the former Robins boss.

Sanders had already served as assistant to Roy Rees when he took over in March, 1976 and launched a reign that brought Alty two Conference titles, an FA Trophy triumph at Wembley and no fewer than four consecutive FA Cup third-round appearances.

His remarkable achievements are being recognised officially by the club at a tribute night that will begin with drinks in the Noel White Suite at 7.15pm before transferring to the sponsors’ lounge for a meal at 8pm.

Compered by joint press officer Brian Flynn, Sanders will be introduced to the audience at the top table before being joined, in turn, by four legendary figures from a line-up widely regarded as the outstanding non-League side of its era.

After the meal, Flynn will conduct a question and answer session aimed at giving fans of all ages a first-hand account of how Sanders and his team went about establishing Alty as the nation’s leading exponents of Cup upsets.

As a fitting final touch, King, Heathcote, Johnson and Rogers will be made inaugural members of the Altrincham FC Players’ Hall of Fame, a new concept to recognise the contribution of past greats.

To check whether tickets, at £20 each, are still available, contact the club on 0161 928 1045.

On a more contemporary note, manager Lee Sinnott met the Alty board on Monday, to be informed of his latest playing budget, and will now press ahead with plans for next season.

Skipper Shaun Densmore and influential centre-back Luca Havern have both joined Nicky Clee, Duncan Watmore, Damian Reeves, Simon Richman, Jake Moult, Scott Leather and James Lawrie in accepting terms for the new campaign.