The Legends XI Tour has been heralded as a major success as the curtain came down at the Oval on Saturday.

The old-hands — some older than others — from Liverpool and Manchester United fought it out alongside the Big Two’s stars of years gone by from Glentoran and Linfield.

It was the former Anfield aces who came out on top in the four-team competition as they earned the bragging rights in the huge hospitality marquee at the east Belfast venue by beating United, 4-1, in an entertaining final.

Jason McAteer, one of those whose legs are a bit less weary than some of his colleagues, hailed the competition and he is hoping to be back in Belfast again next year with a few familiar faces in tow.

“It would be brilliant if we could do it again and hopefully some of the other lads might have seen how much of a laugh we have had and come and join us,” he said.

“It was great that so many people came out to see us — not just in Belfast but all over Northern Ireland over the course of the week.

“All the lads have really enjoyed it — especially playing against the local lads too.

“We have been playing against some very young sides while we were here and it takes it out of you a bit so it was nice to take on a few boys our own age.”

While it was for all intents and purposes a friendly affair, there is still a competitive streak as you would expect from ex-professionals.

So for the Merseysiders there was delight at picking up the silverware: “We all like beating United no matter what — even on the golf course,” admitted John Wark, who was on the scoresheet against Glentoran.

“So it was nice to beat them in the final and win the cup.”

In the other camp, the smiles weren’t quite so broad.

“No one likes to lose, no matter who you are playing against and it doesn’t help that it was against Liverpool,” said Old Trafford favourite Gary Pallister.

“Overall we’ve had a great week but it would have been nice to have won it.”

For the local boys, it was a dream come true for many to line-out against players who had been their own heroes.

Gary Hillis who was in the Glentoran side which lost the opening game 2-0 to Liverpool admitted he was almost shellshocked.

“To look around and see people like Phil Neal, John Wark, Gary Gillespie and John Aldridge as a Liverpool fanatic it was brilliant for me,” he said.

“And those boys have still got it.

“We thought we might have been in with a chance because we had managed to put together quite a good team, but they were a step up.”