EVERTON legend Peter Reid will be the special guest at the unveiling of a plaque in celebration of Ellesmere Port footballing great Joe Mercer.

The blue PFA plaque for the former England, Everton and Arsenal star, who enjoyed a trophy-laden playing career before managing Manchester City to both domestic and European success, will be unveiled at the front of the town's Civic Hall on November 18.

Football writer Mark Metcalf, who has worked in conjunction with the PFA on the project to honour Mercer, has confirmed to The Standard that ex-Toffees hero Reid will attend the eagerly-anticipated unveiling.

Former England international Reid won both domestic and European honours for Mercer's boyhood club during the 80s.

Like Mercer, he also managed Manchester City, having been a player for the then Maine Road club, before a seven-year stint in the dugout at Sunderland where he twice guided the North East side to promotion to the Premier League.

Last week we reported that Mercer's granddaughter Susan Lea was "honoured" that the fitting tribute to her grandfather would take pride of place in his hometown.