There will be a minute's applause before kick-off, while his family will be presented with a book of condolence which fans have been signing over the past few weeks.

Kelly lost his brave battle with colon cancer in May at the age of 72, and the Bristol City game is a chance for fans and the club to pay their respects.

He holds the PNE appearance record, playing 513 times in the North End's keeper's jersey between 1961 and 1973, while he played 47 times for the Republic Ireland.

And had it not been for a shoulder injury which ended his career at the age of 37, he would likely have gone on to play many more times for club and country.

Kelly was manager at PNE between 1983 and 1985, before emigrating to the United States where he was coach at DC United.

His last wish was for his body to be donated to medical science in the hope it will help give doctors more insight into the cause and treatment of cancer.

Kelly's three sons, Gary, Alan and David, will be at Deepdale on Saturday as guests of North End.

Gary, who enjoyed a long career as a goalkeeper with Newcastle, Bury, Oldham and Sheffield United, is himself battling cancer.

The 43-year-old was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer called
Chondrosarcoma in June, 2007, just six weeks before his dad was discovered to be suffering from colon cancer.

A collection will be held around the ground on Saturday to raise funds for research into Musculoskeletal Sarcoma's.

Chondrosarcoma is a type of sarcoma which does not respond to the conventional treatments such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Sarcoma's are not as common as other cancers but they affect all ages from children to extreme old age.

Often the only treatment is surgery which may result in amputation or other disfiguring effects.

Gary, who lives in Fulwood, said: "We're trying to raise awareness of this form of cancer and the collection before Saturday's game will help fund research into it.

"It's a rare condition which has brutual outcomes. They don't know what causes it or why it grows and medical research are trying to find out more about it."

And he added: "To look at me you would not think there was anything wrong, but underneath what is going on is frightening."

Gary takes great strength from the memory of his dad, a member of North End's 1964 FA Cup final side and the fact that the Town End stand at Deepdale is named in his honour.

He said: "It will be a proud day for the family on Saturday.

"Dad wasn't one to court fame, but he did appreciate the support of the fans and absolutely loved the club who he served for so long.

"He will be looking down on Saturday and wanting to get on with the game and see PNE win.

"The minute's applause will be a nice moment, a chance for the fans to express their feelings and appreciation.

"Dad fought a long and hard battle – from a medical point of view he really should have passed away before he did, but he kept going.

"It was a hard time as dad battled cancer, particularly as I was unable to visit him because of my condition and restrictions.

"Dad gave his body to medical science to try and get as many positives as possible from his death.

"If that can help anyone, give the medical profession more of an understanding of cancer, raise awareness, that would be fantastic, just what he would have wanted."


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