BILLERICAY paid tribute to the men who brought soccer glory to the town more than a quarter of a century ago.

The occasion was the 25th anniversary of the last time that the New Lodge club won the national FA Vase competition.

That triumph in 1979 was the third time that Billericay had captured the trophy in four years and those successes were marked by thousands of residents of the town thronging the high street as the team paraded in an open top bus.

Time may have dimmed those memories but, despite the counter-attraction of the European Ryder Cup golf heroics and Chelsea's clash with Spurs on TV, hundreds were at New Lodge to watch Sunday's big celebration game.

On the field a Vase XI which included many of those former Vase heroes as well as others who've distinguished themselves in Billericay colours, took on a star line-up led by current Town boss Justin Edinburgh.

Several others of those involved in one or more of the three big games in the 70s, watched from the sidelines as memories flooded back.

Among those unable to take an active part was striker Doug Young, who scored what has proved to be the only Vase final hat-trick ever in the 1979 success over Almondsbury Greenway.

After enjoying the on-the-field action and reacquainting himself with the famous Vase trophy which had been brought down to New Lodge for the day by the FA, he said: "It's been a great afternoon.

"It was marvellous seeing so many of the Vase colleagues from all that time ago. The match has certainly brought back happy memories for a lot of people."

* Don't miss Tuesday's Evening Echo with a two-page picture special on Billericay's big day.