THE much loved former umpire Dickie Bird MBE will be raising a toast to the first pint of an ale dedicated to one of his former close friends, Yorkshire and England cricket legend Fred Trueman.

The Freddie Trueman Yorkshire Ale, brewed by Skipton-based Copper Dragon, is being officially launched at the HQ of the seven-year-old brewery by Bird together with Freddie's wife Veronica and a party of local dignitaries tomorrow.

The launch of the ale, a hoppy, amber creation with all of the distinctive character of the renowned fast bowler, happens ahead of the unveiling in March of a bronze statue of Trueman in full flight created by Barnsley-based sculptor Graham Ibbeson together with a dinner in Leeds.

"It's a great honour," exclaimed Dickie "to be able to pay tribute to a character that lit up the game of cricket and I'm sure Fred would have wholeheartedly approved of an ale being brewed in his name!"

The first 200 bottles of the historic beer will be individually signed and numbered by Head Brewer, Gordon Wilkinson and made exclusively available to guests attending an exclusive Gala Dinner, hosted by Harry Gration and attended by both Dickie Bird and Veronica Trueman in aid of the Freddie Trueman statue appeal, created and supported by train operator Northern Rail.

The dinner will give beer and cricket lovers the chance to join stars from sport and showbusiness including Brian Close, Geoff Boycott and Ray Illingworth and sports impressionist Kevin Connelly in the celebrations at The Queens Hotel, Leeds on Wednesday 17 March 2010.

Freddie's wife Veronica Trueman commented: "Both Copper Dragon and Northern Rail have been extremely supportive in making sure Fred will be properly remembered and his legacy will live on in the form of a stunning statue and a traditional Yorkshire ale."

Steve Taylor, MD and founder of Copper Dragon, added: "We're delighted to finally be able to launch the Freddie Ale which has been two months in development and we're sure it will bowl over cricket and beer lovers alike!"

Head Brewer Gordon Wilkinson, who has masterminded the ale's creation, said: "His reputation stretches far and wide but he has a special place in the hearts and minds of Yorkshire folk and it's entirely apt that it's been brewed in the Dales, an area in which Fred spent his later years and loved dearly."

‘Fiery Fred', as he was affectionately nicknamed, was regarded as one of the finest fast bowlers in history and was the first Englishman to take 300 Test wickets. Born in South Yorkshire in 1931, Trueman made his Yorkshire first class debut in 1949 and went on to play 459 for the county notching 1,745 wickets. In 67 Tests for England Trueman took 307 wickets. He retired in 1972 to pursue a career in the media and passed away in 2006.

Steve Butcher, Area Director, Northern Rail, said: "We are delighted to be involved in this project which celebrates one of Yorkshires most iconic and outstanding sportsmen and we know that Fred would have been delighted at the prospect of having a special beer created in his honour!"

Established in 2002, Copper Dragon supplies its hand crafted Best Bitter, Golden Pippin, Scots 1816, Challenger IPA and Black Gold cask ales to over 2000 pubs across the UK as well as major supermarkets and foreign markets as far afield as Australia and Russia.

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