CRICKET fans will be bowled over by the line-up of legendary players they can enjoy an evening with at the Pavilion on Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier next month.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Somerset County Cricket Club’s Gillette Cup final victory over Northamptonshire, the first trophy win in Somerset’s history.

The captain from that historic victory will be leading the anniversary celebrations at the iconic seafront attraction on Friday, May 24 in ‘An Evening With Brian Rose and Former Players.’

Despite having won nothing during the previous 104 years, Somerset scooped five trophies during Brian’s six-year tenure as captain, in what is widely regarded as the ‘golden age’ of cricket in the county.

Brian, who went to school in Weston-super-Mare, has recently released “Rosey: My Life in Somerset Cricket” telling the story of those years, including that first trophy triumph.

But he won’t be the only familiar face reminiscing with diners who attend the event, which will be compered by current cricket star Peter Trego.

Brian will be reunited on stage with a number of other former players from 40 years ago, including Sir Ian Botham OBE, one of the greatest all-rounders in cricketing history.

Sir Ian captured the hearts of the nation in 1981 when his outstanding performance with both bat and ball saw battle between England and Australia being nicknamed ‘Botham’s Ashes’.

After a 20-year playing career, he became a popular TV pundit and game-show celebrity as well as helping to raise millions of pounds for charity through fund-raising walks and other activities.

Botham was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 1992 in recognition of both his services to cricket and his charity work.

He was knighted in the 2007 New Year’s Honours list in recognition of his services to charity and in 2009 he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

Vic Marks, who has written the foreword for Brian’s book, and Andy Caddick are also due to appear.

The evening, staged by ConciergeUK, opens with a fish and chip supper before Brian and his fellow speakers take to the stage to present a fascinating insight into the golden age of Somerset County Cricket Club.

Tim Moyle, general manager of the Grand Pier, said: “This evening is an indication of the wide variety of events we are hosting at the Pier.

“We’re already well-known for hosting different musical concerts, but this shows how we try to offer something for everyone, and it’s clearly been a popular choice because this cricket-themed evening very nearly sold out within four days of being announced.”