FOOTBALLERS and speedway riders are set to do battle in Mildenhall for the first time at the end of January. Mildenhall Town Football Club and the Fen Tigers are to compete over a number of challenges for the Showdown Shield. The competition, which takes

FOOTBALLERS and speedway riders are set to do battle in Mildenhall for the first time at the end of January.

Mildenhall Town Football Club and the Fen Tigers are to compete over a number of challenges for the Showdown Shield.

The competition, which takes place at the football club's Rec Way ground on January 26 next year, will become an annual event.

Sportsmen, coaches, officials and supporters from each club will start off the evening by swapping strips for the first challenge, a penalty shootout.

Promotional consultant for Mildenhall Town Football Club, David Ison, said: "In theory the footballers should be a lot better at taking penalties, so by having them wearing the big boots and helmets with the visors down it should even things up a bit."

Then there will be a Generation Game-style contest where people representing sponsors for each club demonstrate their skills, which the competitors then do their best to replicate.

The final challenge will be a sport and trivia quiz, which includes a special section where the sportsmen answer questions about each others clubs.

The day will conclude with the presentation of the shield.

Mr Ison said: "I'd noticed a few people turning up to the football ground with their speedway jackets on, so I thought the Showdown Shield would be a fun way of promoting interaction between the two clubs. Hopefully more speedway fans will start coming to watch football and visa versa.

"I expect that lots of people will be taking part, not just players, so everyone will be up for ridicule."

Tickets are available in advance at the Rec Way and at the speedway club. Tickets also available on the night, which is due to start at 7pm.