Great Britain rugby league legend Trevor Skerrett is the star attraction at the Recre on Sunday when a new book celebrating the life of charismatic scrum half Arnold ‘Boxer’ Walker is being launched at Haven’s league match against Hemel.

Front row forward Skerrett played alongside Boxer for Great Britain against New Zealand in a 10-2 Test match win in 1980. A host of other rugby league greats are expected at the event including Barrow’s international scrum half David Cairns and former Town, Haven, Cumbria and Great Britain forward Eddie Bowman.

Other Cumbrian players expected include Gordon Cottier, ‘Smiler’ Allen, Spanky McFarlane and Vince Gribbin.

“Boxer was a wonderful player and it is a pleasure to come to this launch and pay tribute to him,” says Skerrett who made more than 400 career appearances for Wakefield Trinity, Hull, Leeds and Keighley.

“He had a great game against the Kiwis and I can’t wait to see Boxer and all my old friends in Cumbria.”

Boxer: The Life of a Cumbria Great , which has 355 pages and more than 105,000 words, went on sale this week and it is already receiving rave reviews in the rugby league press for its honest and uplifting portrayal of the Great Britain international, who was voted the best scrum half in the world in 1980.

Boxer and the author will be available to sign books between 12.30pm and 1.30pm and after the match. Copeland mayor Mike Starkie is opening the event.

Boxer captained and coached Haven in the early 80s, following his £30,000 transfer from Workington.

He made 70 appearances for the club before suffering a serious neck injury against Widnes which forced him to retire from the game.

He was the eighth player to be inaugurated into the club’s Hall of Fame and is considered the club’s greatest ever number seven.

The book has been written by award-winning journalist and former News & Star sports editor Mike Gardner, who wrote the critically acclaimed biography of Barrow, England and Great Britain stand-off Willie Horne, 23 years ago.

There will be another book launch at Kells’ home game against Egremont on Saturday, when Boxer and the author will be signing copies from 4.30pm.

Boxer: The Life of a Cumbria Great is only available at the following outlets Richard James Newsagents, P and D Newsagents, Workington; McDowells Newsagents, Whitehaven; Michael Moon Bookshop, Whitehaven, Maryport News, Town and Haven club shops and Bookends in Carlisle and Keswick.

Haven general manager Amanda Hewer appealed to club fans to support the launch.

She added: “We want all our existing fans and old fans to come along to the Recreation Ground and make it a special day for both the club and Arnold.

“Accordingly we are having a few special offers. There will be children’s rugby competition with parents getting a concession ticket, the main gate price will be reduced to £15, children under 11 accompanied with an adult will get free admission.

“There will also be a double header offer – come down to the ground before Friday and buy a double header ticket which will cover both the Hemel game and the Gloucester game and it will only cost you £25.

“Our old friends up the road are not forgotten either, if you are a Town season ticket holder then bring your season ticket and ID and we will let you in for £10.

“So please do all make the effort and help the club and recognise and pay tribute to the man that is the legend Arnold “Boxer” Walker. Oh and of course buy a book.”