(Image: York St John University)
An Over-75s England squad will take on Germany in a commemorative match 60 years on from this nation's greatest sporting achievement - backed by its own anthem produced in York.
The fixture will take place at Boundary Park, Oldham, on Thursday, July 30, at 3pm – the exact date and time of England’s World Cup victory under Sir Alf Ramsey in the 1966 World Cup final.
To mark the occasion, the team has recorded its own anthem, England Together.
Chris Johnson, Course Lead in Music Production at York St John University, produced the track and co-wrote it alongside Bryan Josh of the band Mostly Autumn.
Mr Johnson said: "Recording with the Silver Lions was a real treat.
"They are such great guys, and we had a lot of laughs.
"I know they’ll deliver for England on the pitch as well.
"Seeing recent scenes in the World Cup of the players singing with the fans all together, united by the shared experience and feeling that human connection."
Tracy Willits, who organised the match and is a filmmaker and academic at York St John University, is also producing a documentary about the team’s journey.
Silver Lions: Football Dreams Never Retire follows the England squad, whose combined age tops 1,600, as they chase one more shot at international glory while managing health challenges.
Ms Willits said: "The team is highlighting an important message to remain active in later life in order to stay healthier and happier.
"We also want to be able to support the work of Oldham Athletic Community Trust promoting grassroots football and community programmes and would like people to be able to do this by streaming the single and sharing it on social media."
Ken Pollock, manager of the England Veterans Over 75s, added: "Football has helped me live a longer and happier life, and I guess what we are trying to do is to pass a recognition of those advantages onto others.
"There is a real need for us to be thinking seriously about what we're doing to keep ourselves fit, to give ourselves healthy and long lives."
BBC presenter and Silver Lion Mike Sweeney, who turns 80 next year, describes the match as a privilege.
He said: "It's a privilege to be playing in this match at my time of life.
"I'll be 80 next year, and the one thing I've realised, thank goodness, is that you only get one health and you have to take the very best care of that."
The game has also drawn support from 1966 World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst.
Sir Geoff said: "Marvellous now we’re seeing this game at Oldham, celebrating 60 years.
"It’s just absolutely fantastic, and I never thought that would happen."