Dave Craven: England rally to the cause with Purdham tribute match

The prospect of the region ever hosting a fixture against England has been as remote as some of those secluded farming villages which produce the hardened and grizzled players it is so renowned for.

However, the RFL's decision to stage a commemorative match to help raise funds for the family of Garry Purdham means that will now come to life.

There had been plenty of suggestions about the best way to both remember the former Workington and Whitehaven player, one of 12 innocents killed by gunman Derrick Bird earlier this month, and also help his widow Ros and their two young children during the unimaginable torment they are currently suffering.

England, playing against a select team of professional and community players from Cumbria at Whitehaven's Recreation Ground, has emerged as the way forward and what a fine and fitting event it will be.

Taking place on Sunday, October 3, the day after the Super League Grand Final, Steve McNamara has vowed to make the most of the opportunity and field as strong a side as possible before England depart for the Four Nations a few days later.

Famous amateur clubs such as Purdham's old side Egremont, Wath Brow, Kells and Ellenborough could see some of their emerging talents join players from Whitehaven, Workington and Barrow to potentially line up against Sam Burgess, Jamie Peacock and Kyle Eastmond.

"All the Super League players knew of Garry from playing with or against his brother Rob, the Harlequins RL captain, and I'm sure they will want to put on a good show," said McNamara, who will consider all his squad for selection apart from those who have featured at Old Trafford the previous evening.

"As well as helping raise a lot of money for the family, the match will be a useful exercise in our preparations for the Four Nations.

"Hopefully, as many people as possible will get behind this match: I can't think of a more worthy cause."

RFL chief executive Nigel Wood concurred: "Few of us can imagine what the Purdham family have gone through since they lost Garry.

"But everyone within rugby league wants to do the right thing by them and this game will achieve just that.

"As soon as the idea was suggested to Steve McNamara he was all for it. I am sure his reaction is going to be reflected in massive interest in this game, both in Cumbria and across the country."

It will not only give the people of Whitehaven and Purdham's family a considerable boost but also the sport itself in the county which has found itself almost forgotten at the highest level during the summer era.

Not since 1996 and Workington's doomed sole campaign in the inaugural Super League competition has there been a Cumbrian representative.

Its people have longed for a top-flight side to pitch themselves against the best and the county certainly has the talent pool, passion and appreciation of the sport to call upon for that to happen.

However, many see the only realistic way of it being achieved is if Whitehaven, Workington and Barrow merge in some form, which given each club's proud heritage and staunch rivalry, is never likely to materialise.

Maybe though, as everyone unites to make plans for that October 3 date, the people of Cumbrian rugby league can also find a way forward, no matter how tough, in making a realistic bid for a Super League licence. That would be a lasting legacy for Garry Purdham.