Leicester Tigers are planning to celebrate the achievements and contribution of club record appearance-holder David Matthews at the home game against European Challenge Cup visitors Calvisano on Saturday, December 7.
 
Matthews made 502 first-team appearances for the club and also served as captain, coach, director, president and life member before his death in June this year at the age of 82. 
 
Supporters will be asked to join in a minute’s applause before the 3.00pm kick-off in recognition of an association with the club which began as a teenager in 1955.
 
Members of his family will be Tigers’ special guests for the afternoon and will presented with a condolence book filled with tributes and memories from players, past-players, supporters and representatives from the rugby world.
 
The man described as “the legend’s legend” will also feature on the cover of the matchday programme which will include a feature looking back on his life.
 
In a lasting recognition of his links with the club, Tigers will officially open a new 502 Lounge in the Mattioli Woods Stand. 
 
At the club’s Oval Park training ground, the players’ Team Room is already known as ‘The 502’ and from this season the Player’s Player of the Year award will be renamed ‘The David Matthews Award’.
 
Tigers chairman Peter Tom, a former team-mate, led the tributes to David on the news of his passing in the summer, saying: “He did so much for the Tigers as a player and captain, then off the field too as coach, director, president and life member. But he was also so much more than that to so many people.
 
“It was a privilege to play under his captaincy and to call him a friend over all those years.”
 
The game against Italian visitors Calvisano is the second home fixture in the European season and match tickets are available now at the Tigers ticket office. Book in person, by phoning 0116 319 8888 (option 2) or online below.