WIMBORNE boss James Stokoe believes it is “a real honour” to take part in the annual Steve Moore Memorial Trophy – with the Magpies stalwart keen for victory over Verwood Town despite the friendly nature of the game.

Each year, two of Moore’s former clubs – Wimborne and Verwood – come together to take part in the friendly, named in honour of the popular footballer who passed in 2016 following a fight with cancer aged 32.

Eighth-tier Wimborne host their tenth-tier neighbours tomorrow evening at the New Cuthbury, with kick-off at 7.30pm.

Since the inaugural tournament in July 2016, the Magpies have won every iteration, lifting the trophy six times.

It is a streak Stokoe, who played alongside Moore for the Magpies, would like to continue, as he stressed to the Daily Echo.

He started: “I played with Steve at Wimborne, I knew Steve years ago from when I was a young lad at Bournemouth, and then got reacquainted with him when I went back to Wimborne.

“We were together at Wimborne for a couple of seasons.

“It’s a real honour to play in his game back at the old Cuthbury (in 2016) and then to play this game every year is very important to the club, and to us players as well that played with him – myself, Arnie, the ones that have been around a little bit longer.

“It's a real honour to go out and to play and try and win this trophy in Steve’s name.

“So it'll be a really good occasion, as it has been over the last few years, and we’ll do everything we can to try and get that trophy back again.”

Aside from the common connection from Moore’s playing career, the Potters and the Magpies have further links, with Wimborne’s former development squad managers Darren Shepherd and Danny Tabor now in charge at Potterne Park.

Stokoe is looking forward to the reunion, revealing that the pair had been a big help during last campaign.

“We had a good relationship from back when I was a player, to be honest,” restarted Stokoe.

“Then they were really helpful, especially last year when we were taking players off them last minute, with the injuries and players situation that we had.

“So we had a good relationship with them. I still have a good relationship with them and I think you'll see tomorrow that there'll be a few of our ex-development squad players in their team.

“It'll be nice to have a good competitive game against them and have a catch up afterwards.”