A football match with players from two different leagues is due to take place tonight.

For the first time in more than five years, the Sheppey Sunday League is taking part in a representative challenge match.

They will be taking on their colleagues from the North Kent Sunday League at Sittingbourne Football Ground, kicking off at 7.45pm.

The 16-man squad has been selected from the higher divisions of the Sheppey Sunday League.

The team was picked from about 1,000 players and 40 teams.

It is hoped at least two or three more representatives matches will take place this season to give the other players a chance to represent their league.

The last time the Sheppey Sunday League took part in a representative match was in May 2004, when they travelled to Windsor to play the Thames Valley Sunday League, which they won.

Sheppey Sunday League secretary, Mark Rogers, said: “It is something we have been looking to re-introduce over the last few seasons but due to time restrains and other issues we have not got round to organising an event like this, so we are more than pleased to welcome our colleagues from the North Kent League for this match.

“We cannot thank our good friends at Sittingbourne FC enough for staging this match along with our sponsors from Dore Metals, Stadium Sports and the Royal Hotel.

“This match is just another part of the league’s continuing expanding structure that we are actively promoting and we are also at present looking into the feasibility of introducing a new Youth League to the area which we will be making an announcement about very soon.”

The gates at Bourne Park open at 6.30pm. Entry costs £2 for adults and £1 for children and OAPs.