BISHOP'S WALTHAM and Netley Under-15s, the two teams who had their Tyro League Cup Final cancelled by the league, are preparing to receive the "superstar" treatment.

The Daily Echo revealed last month how the league called off the Trophyman Cup final after both teams asked to change the date from May 2 because it clashed with a pre-booked Waltham club tour.

The Echo have since revealed that Waltham boss Dave Emmence and Netley counterpart Tim Middleton quickly agreed to play a game anyway - and though Salisbury, Hedge End, Vospers and Hamble all offered their facilities, the 'alternative' final will be played at Eastleigh's Sparshatts Stadium next Wednesday (7.30pm).

Saints legend Matt Le Tissier has agreed to present the trophies, while both teams will be chauffeur-driven to Eastleigh in stretch limousines!

"We want to give the lads the superstar treatment," said Emmence. "It's the least we can do after all they've been through.

"It will be a night of dreams for the kids, it really will be - I just hope my lot don't suffer from stage fright!"

The two teams had to seek special permission from the Hampshire FA to play their 'alternative' match. And it has only gone ahead after it was agreed to play the 35-minutes-each-way game as a charity match - a Multiple Sclerosis cause is now set to benefit from any donations and a post-match raffle.

The charity was chosen by Trophyman owner David Creeden, whose daughter Deborah is an MS sufferer.

The Hampshire FA also stipulated that there is no difference between the winners' and the losers' medals, but the winning team will keep the trophy forever. If the game is drawn after 70 minutes both teams will have to share it as there is no extra-time or penalties.

Netley will start favourites as they play in Division 2 of the under-15 league - a division higher than Waltham.

Since Christmas Netley have blasted 78 goals and only conceded eight, but Waltham are unbeaten in their last six league games.

While Waltham received a letter from the Tyro League saying the final had been cancelled, Netley have never been officially told.

Middleton said: "It's all been a bit strange really.

"But it's all very exciting - for the lads as well as their parents.

"Our game will be a much better occasion than if the Tyro final had been played - that's not meant to be a dig at the Tyro, but if we can organise something like this I don't see why they couldn't."

Emmence added: "I would like to invite all the other under-14 and under-15 managers who backed us at our last monthly meeting.

"There were over 100 people there and they all showed great integrity.

"I'd buy them all a drink if I could!"

Neither Netley nor Waltham have ever won a trophy during their five-season stay in the Tyro League, so they are looking for a final flourish.

But, while Netley are carrying on in 2005/06 under the guise of Hamble ASSC's Under-16s, Waltham's future is undecided.

Emmence had virtually made his mind up to disband the squad, but is now reconsidering.

"Since all this cup final stuff happened, the kids have really bonded," he revealed. "They are telling me it would be a shame to disband because they're playing the best football they ever have done.

"I was going to give it up because I've got back trouble, but you never know - the lads are trying to persuade my assistant, Nick Burrows, who was also quitting, to stay on, and I know there's other managers at Waltham who would like to take them on."