Brighton football legend Peter Ward to play against Palace tonight

Brighton and Hove Albion fans’ favourite Peter Ward is to turn out for the club’s supporters in their annual charity match against those of arch-rivals Crystal Palace.

The former Albion and England striker will take the field at the Dripping Pan, home of Lewes FC, for the Robert Eaton Memorial Fund Challenge Match tonight (Friday 19 April).

The fund has raised more than £100,000 for footballing charities since Robert Eaton was killed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York on 11 September 2001.

Ward, the 57-year-old former No 8, has a titanium knee these days but still draws a crowd even though he last played competitively for Albion more than 30 years ago.

The Goldstone Ground idol took part in the fans’ match four years ago and played in former Albion defender Kerry Mayo’s testimonial at Withdean.

Kick-off is at 7.45pm and tickets cost £5.