Young Alfie Roberts should be pretty good at arithmetics.

That’s because he’s been counting down the days to Saturday 28th April when he will be rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest rugby names from Gloucester and beyond.

The occasion is a special charity match at Hucclecote Rugby Club and the nine-year-old will be the mascot when a team of Gloucester old boys take on Marauders Vets.

The game is in memory of Martin Roberts – known to everyone in rugby as Speedy – a centre who played for Gloucester, Birmingham/Solihull, Moseley, Cheltenham and Cinderford before going on to coach at Chosen Hill.

Alfie is one of Martin’s three children and he will be joined at the game by his two big sisters – Rebecca, 24, and Louise, 21.

Their dad died two years ago from thrombosis at the ridiculously young age of 48 and the game at the end of April is being organised primarily by Sharon Roberts, the mother of Martin’s children, and Rebecca.

“We held a similar sort of game two years ago at Chosen Hill just after Martin died,” said Sharon. “We raised about £2,500 for Winston’s Wish, Rugby for Heroes and Wooden Spoon. We’d like to raise a similar amount this time.”

The likes of Paul Holford, Dave Kearsey, Mark Nicholls, Tim Smith and Jerry Perrins took part last time and Kev Dunn, Lee Fortey, Laurie Beck and Andy Deacon are just some of those involved this time around.

Those are some pretty impressive names from yesteryear, of course, but each and every one of them will be happy to play second fiddle to little Alfie on the big day.

Not that Alfie, a pupil at Hillview Primary School, is that little.

“He’s following in his dad’s footsteps,” said his proud mum. “He’s fast and solid – he’s much more solid than his dad was at the same age

“He’s part of the junior set-up at Hucclecote which is why we’re staging the match at Hucclecote this time. My dad, Colin Stroud, was one of the founders of the club and Alfie loves it there.”

So is he any good at rugby?

“Oh yes,” laughed Sharon, who owns and runs the gym Fitness for Females in Hucclecote and used to play netball for Hucclecote. “Everyone says he’s his father’s son!”

As an appetiser for the main event on 28th April, it is hoped that Alfie and his under-10 pals from the club will play games with and against teams from Dursley and Longlevens.

Throw in a bouncy castle, barbecue and entertainment from Rock and Pop Covers Band Too Old for Toys, and it’s easy to see why Sharon, who lives in Hucclecote, and her team are hopeful of raising at least another £2,500 for their chosen charities.

And while Alfie will be centre stage, he may have to share the limelight with Sharon’s granddaughter Eliza.

“She’s only two-and-a-half but she’s always got a rugby ball in her hands,” laughed grandma.