The dedication of one player shows how much winning the Worsley Cup would mean to Church Cricket Club.

The Blackburn Road side last won a major trophy in 1974 – something which has gone on for too long for most Church fans liking.

And wicketkeeper Sam Tucker, who has been at Church all his life, knows they need to get rid of this tag.

That’s why the 26-year-old is flying all the way back from from his job in a design agency in Dubai to play for the first team in their home clash against Ramsbottom on Sunday (12.30pm start).

"I told my work colleagues and they didn’t understand the significance," said Church’s record wicketkeeper Tucker.

"I can be in Dubai this time next week but I can’t play in the Worsley Cup again like this. It’s huge for the club."

Tucker, who made his Church first team debut in 1998, is working abroad for a few weeks before he goes over to Dubai for a year’s contract in September.

But there was never any doubt he wasn’t going to fly back for what is perhaps the biggest game in Church’s recent history.

It’s believed more than 1500 people could descend on West End with the Church officials going all out with sponsorship deals and entertainment besides the cricket to make it a special day.

And Tucker can’t wait for the showdown and is only too pleased to take his gloves behind the wicket – despite a thumb injury. "I am playing through the pain barrier on pain killers but there was never any doubt I wouldn’t play. Nothing would have stopped me coming back.

"I have been a big part of the first team for 10 years and we haven’t had many occasions like this in the past so it’s one I want to enjoy and savour.

"We have had limited success in my time at the club and this is the league’s showcase event and to win something at home would be superb.

"Everyone keeps talking about our last trophy being in 1974 and we need to put that to bed.

"It has been too long and people around the club, who help out week in week out, deserve the silverware as much as the players for all the hard work they do. We want to put a smile back on everyone’s faces connected with the club.

"The second XI won the double last year but we want to deliver a major trophy at first team level then we can go forward and forget looking back to 1974."

Personally for Tucker, winning would be the perfect ending to his Church career - at least for the next year or so.

"I have played cricket every weekend during the season since I was young so it is a big change for me to be not playing at Church week in week out, next season.

"I am not saying my Church career is over but it looks like it is it after this season for a year.

"So for me to sign off with a trophy and celebrate in what could be my last game for the club for a while would be perfect."

Tucker and co are certainly looking forward to playing in front of a bumper crowd.

"It will be probably the biggest attendance in the club’s recent history," continued the wicketkeeper.

"Everyone around Church seems to be talking about it and, even though I have been away, I know the excitement has been mounting.

"Everyone at the club is looking forward to the game. There will be some nervous energy of course but I think it’s important we don’t freeze on the day and that we savour every moment as it could be another 37 years before we win another title, although I hope not!"

Tucker thinks that defending champions Ramsbottom – who lost the Worsley Cup final last year to Colne but won it the year before – will be favourites going into the showdown.

"Ramsbottom are a professional club and a professional team and they have experience and match-winners in their team.

"For us being in a final, although we were in the Twenty20 last year, it is a novel experience.

"Ramsbottom know what to expect and how to win and kill games off and they will be favourites because of that.

"But it’s a one-off game, recent form goes out of the window and it could be one inspirational performance, hopefully for us, that wins the trophy.

"We have got to be at our best to win it but we go into the final full of confidence with no fear and hopefully it will be our day."