THERE have been many years and a lot of water under the bridge - early baths and otherwise - since these seven sporting schoolmates last met. It's 57 to be precise.

But after several moments of determining who was who, the clock suddenly ticked backwards at an alarming rate as the septuagenarians became strapping young rugby players all over again.

With a pint and a smile they recaptured their schooldays when they were at King's School - clearly a purple patch in their long and eventful lives.

The Magnificent Seven - who hit the headlines in 1945 in the Macclesfield Courier, now the Macclesfield Express - became lost in their glorious past as they met for the first time in 57 years this week.

"We decided we should all get together for what may be the last time before we kick off our boots and head upstairs," said Brian Smith, who organised the reunion within a reunion.

All seven met prior to the big annual King's reunion at Adlington Hall by turning up at The Bridge Hotel in Prestbury for their own pre-bash reception.

"I didn't even recognise my own best man," chuckled Brian as he recalled how he was uplifted to see them all, but especially Bob Carrie who stood at his side at the altar as he wed his young bride way back in 1968.

They were all there from the picture featured in the newspaper, bar French teacher and coach the 'boys' affectionately called 'Little Len' Harvey who had since died.

Now in their mid-seventies, the chaps from the seven-a-side rugby team became lost in their youth.

"It was wonderful," said Brian. "Some of us had kept in touch with some others but we had never all kept in touch with each other. And we have never seen each other together since 1945.

"It was a superb time for us all - some of the happiest days of our lives. It was wartime and there was a strong sense of comradeship. There was a distinct elan among the boys."

If that wasn't enough nostalgia for one night, they went onto join nine other contemporaries from their era at the annual reunion at Adlington Hall organised by the King's School Former Pupils' Association.

The 'Magnificent Seven' received a standing ovation from past pupils aged from 17 to 77 as they walked together through the door.

During the evening a moving letter was read by all guests from Alec Shrigley, formerly of Poynton, who emigrated to New Zealand in 1968.

As for the seven-a-siders?

Alan Clegg, now retired, still lives locally in Macclesfield.

Albert Hancock, who is a retired civil engineer, plays violin in a symphony orchestra. He has lived in Mow Cop all his life.

Philip McGuinness, was a classical scholar who went on to Ballioll College in Oxford. He is a retired deputy headmaster.

Brian Smith bought his own paper merchants in London and now lives in Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire. He says his own claim to fame is achieving a five handicap in golf.

Ken Bradley went into the textile business. He lives in Bingley in Yorkshire.

Alan Jones, left Ballioll College, Oxford, to become an officer in the Royal Marines. He became a teacher in a Scottish public school and now lives in Edimburgh.

Bob Carrie went into the paper industry. He is now living in Hartford in Northwich.

Pictured above (left to right back row) Alan Clegg Albert Hancock, Philip McGuinness and Brian Smith. Front row: Ken Bradley, Alan Jones and Bob Carrie.