WEYMOUTh have announced the testimonial of one of the club's legendary players following his retirement last season.

Ben Thomson hung up his boots at the end of the 2023/24 campaign after a glistening career with the Dorset club and will get to say a final farewell to the club's supporters on May 17 2025.

Thomson started his playing career at Gillingham as a teenager under former West Brom, Yeovil, Torquay and Gillingham (the bigger, Kent club) striker-turned-manager Ady Foster.

He later moved to Frome before joining the terras for the 2015/16 and never looked back, making a total of 255 appearances for the club, scoring 66 and assisting 47 over eight season's.

He played an integral role in achieving back-to-back promotions during Mark Molesley's first spell at the club, winning the Southern League in 2018/19 before going up to the National League via the play-offs in 2020.

He left the Bob Lucas to sign for Salisbury in 2022 when the Terras were relegated from the National League, although returned  to the club later that year, but was dogged with injuries during his second spell at the club.

His final game proved to be the 3-1 loss at Torquay United on Tuesday, December 5 2023, but fans will now get a chance to give the striker a proper send off with the one-off game at the Bob Lucas next year.

Club chairman, Paul Maitland, issued a statement on the club's website about the game which will be played in honour of Thomson's late mother and her battle with pancreatic cancer.

He said: "As you are aware Thomo retired from Football at the back end of last season.

"Away from football Ben and his brother Nick lost their beloved mother Julie last year to pancreatic cancer after a long and tough fight, that toughness is something we have seen time and time again in Thomo on the football pitch.

"Having been incredibly honoured to attend Julie’s funeral on behalf of the football club and meet friends and family of both Ben and Nick it was apparent what high regard the family are held in both in day to day life and the football world.

"Having spoken with Nick Squires, who is a close to friend of both Ben and Nick, and in conjunction with the boys it has been decided that instead of holding a testimonial for Thomo, we will instead host a match to raise money for pancreatic cancer in Julie’s memory.

"So to all of you that have had the pleasure of watching either Ben or Nick play or indeed played with them then please save May 17 2025 as we will host a Ben Thomson Weymouth XI versus a Nick Thomson Sturminster Newton XI.

"I know you will all be keen to offer your support to the boys and more details will be released as we move forward."