HITCHIN TOWN: A former Arsenal FA Cup winner is set to appear at Top Field this weekend, as well as at least two former Gunners.

The squads for the Canaries' Generation Cup match against Crystal Palace have been confirmed, which are sure to generate interest among supporters of a certain vintage on both sides.

Brian Talbot, who starred for the Gunners when scoring in the 1979 FA Cup Final is set to make an appearance for the Canaries - not bad going when you consider the former Arsenal star is 68.

Also appearing at Top Field along with Talbot - who also lifted the world's oldest domestic knock-out trophy with Ipswich in 1978 - will be former Arsenal midfielder Eddie McGoldrick.

While Arsenal U23s man Ken Gillard will also be making an appearance.

Other ex-pros, featuring a large number of ex-Palace players from the world of football who are confirmed to appear, include James Scowcroft, Leon Cort, Darren Ambrose, Andrew Johnson, Julian Speroni, Leon McKenzie, Jobi McAnuff, Mikele Leigertwood, Rudi Hedman, Rob Quinn, Gary Phillips, Danny Gabbidon, Bobby Bowry, Bruce Dyer, Simon Osborn, Shaun Derry, Clint Hill and Alan Pardew.

The Generation Cup is a special competition that has been set up to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the FA Cup.

A select number of the inaugural clubs of the world's most famous competition have got together to mark this special occasion.

Nine of the eleven clubs still in existence in 1871 are taking part, including of course, Hitchin Town as well as Upton Park, Crystal Palace, Reigate Priory, Maidenhead United, The Royal Engineers, Civil Service, The Wanderers and Clapham Rovers.

Palace will play two matches on Sunday [October 31] at Hitchin Town, which is fitting as the south Londoners were the Canaries' first ever opponent in the FA Cup, way back in November 1871.

The Generation Cup will have a special format and each team can only have a maximum of five players under 40 and must have a minimum of three players over 50 years of age.

The idea is to create a unique blend of players and serves as a means of creating a level playing field so teams of different levels can compete with each other.

Palace were one of only four sides to take part in all six meetings to draw up the original 13 laws of association football and played in the first ever FA Cup in 1871, reaching the semi-finals.

A clear link has been established with the professional club that was subsequently founded in 1905.

A Palace XI will first take on Maidenhead United at 1230pm, followed by hosts Hitchin Town at 2pm, in two 60-minute matches.

Should Palace progress, the finals will be played on March 13, 2022, on the elite pitch at St George's Park.

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