AN EMOTIONAL afternoon at The Camrose saw Basingstoke Academy pay tribute to one of their own.

The academy played out a 0-0 draw against Oxford City FC Academy on Friday afternoon but there were more important things taking place than the football.

The team was paying tribute to academy player Harry Rice, 17, who died with two friends on Friday, 26 January in Hayes, when they were hit by a black Audi as they were walking.

Harry, who joined the academy in November 2017, as well as 16-year-olds George Wilkinson and Josh McGuinness, were pronounced dead at the scene.

At Friday's match, both teams, coaching staff, fans and some Town first team players held an impeccably observed minute's silence in Harry's memory, with the Basingstoke players also wearing black armbands to honour their teammate.

Jason Bristow, academy manager, said: "It has been really difficult for the players - they have been going through something which you cannot prepare for. But they said they wanted to play the game for him.

"He was a quiet lad, he just got his head down and worked hard - it was on the pitch when you really noticed him, with the ball at his feet. He really wanted to play for this football club which delighted us. He made a real impression here.

"Its been overwhelming the support we have received from other football clubs in the area and professional clubs who have got in touch with us to offer condolences."

The academy players also signed two Basingstoke Town shirts which will be framed, with one going to Harry's parents and the other to hang in the clubhouse at The Camrose.

Harry’s teammates have also decided to rename the Academy’s Friday five-a-side games the ‘Harry Rice five-a-side Friday’ as a way to remember him on a weekly basis with the trophy presented to the winning team also renamed in his honour.

Ahead of the game, Harry's sports tutor at the academy Ben Wright said: "Its an emotional day. The boys were focused on wanting to play today for reasons other than the football - they wanted to remember Harry.

"The shirts and the renaming of the five-a-side, that has come from the boys wanting to do something to keep Harry's memory alive."

The Dragons first team will also be holding a minute’s silence in Harry’s memory at its next home game on Saturday, 10 February against Bishop’s Stortford.

Jaynesh Chudasama, 28, of Hayes, West London, has been charged with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving in connection with the deaths of the three teenagers, and appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Monday, 29 January. He was remanded in custody and will next appear at The Old Bailey on Monday, 26 February.

Also in connection with the incident, a 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after handing himself in at a north London police station at around 7pm on Sunday, 28 January. He has since been released under investigation.