GARY Kelly is hoping Millom’s current generation will have similar memories to take away from the Challenge Cup clash with Red Star Belgrade as he does from a knockout tie in his playing days.

Kelly was part of the team which welcomed professionals Wakefield Trinity to Devonshire Road for a John Player Trophy tie in 1986, having qualified for the competition after finishing runners-up in the previous season’s BARLA National Cup.

Despite having Mike O’Brien sent off after 13 minutes, the Woolybacks pushed Trinity – then bottom of the old Stones Bitter Championship – all the way before falling 18-4 and the match is still fondly remembered by Kelly.

“We had Wakefield down there in the Trophy and we had 2,000 people watching us, and only lost 18-4,” said Kelly. They were bottom of what’s now Super League, but we took them really close that day and it was a great day for Millom Rugby League.”

Two more members of the Kelly clan, Dane and Ethan, are likely to be involved for Millom when Red Star come to town on Sunday, January 27 as well.

But unlike when they faced the relative superstars of Wakefield, the Serbians are something of an unknown quantity – even with Kelly’s best efforts at some internet scouting.

“We haven’t got a clue who they’ve got,” said Kelly. “It’s very exciting, and hopefully the lads will be really excited and looking forward to the fixture.”