SACKED Margate boss Chris Kinnear will make his first return to Hartsdown Park on Sunday when he takes charge of one of the star-studded teams that have been put together for The Syko Challenge, a tribute match in memory of Paul Sykes.

Former Dover Athletic striker Sykes collapsed and died during Folkestone Invicta’s Kent Senior Cup semi-final against Margate in April, 2005, and Kinnear will be in charge of the Reds team after being dismissed by Margate last month.

Kinnear, the former Dover boss, was in charge at Hartsdown for 10 years and said: "What has happened to me [at Margate] has no bearing on this game. Syko and Phil Collins were the best strike pair I have ever had and I owe it to his memory, no matter what.

"It’s a privilege to be involved. Paul was a great lad, he did great for Margate and for Kent football."

Collins will be playing for the Reds team along with other east Kent favourites like Iain O’Connell, Charlie Mitten, Mark Munday and Jay Saunders.

The Blues team will be managed by Whites boss Clive Walker, and his line-up will include former Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler, Anthony Henry, Steve Norman, Mark Saunders and Phil Miles.

Walker said: "I had Paul at Dover and I knew him as a kid when he was at Gillingham. He was a terrific lad, great in the dressing room. I had a lot of time for him."

Admission prices are £5 for adults and £1 for children, with the proceeds going to Sykes’ widow Carly and young son Thomas.