Friends and family gathered for a kick about to keep the memory of a “football mad” man alive.
For the second year running two teams trotted out on the pitch at Queen Mary’s College to remember Ritchie Williams.
The brick layer and former Sunday league player died suddenly from heart failure at the age of 51.
Now, in a bid to keep Riche’s legacy alive organisers Mark Stringer and Chris Furness get families and friends together for a game of football in his memory.
Mr Stringer said: “I used to work on building sites with Ritchie and on the weekends, we always seemed to be on opposing side when we played.
“We built up a really good friendship from there and it was a complete shock when he died a couple of yeas ago.
“This event is a great way for us all to get together and remember Ritchie who was a fantastic footballer in the 90s.
"We wanted to do a football match as he absolutely loved the game he was football mad so its fitting."
The sun was shining as the two sides stepped out on the pitch something Mr Stringer said was “too hot” but added that everyone enjoyed themselves.
Richie’s legacy even lived on on the pitch as his 17-year-old son Louis Williams who appeared along side Mr Stringer.
He added: “It was great to have Louis out with us and I think Ritchie would love what we are doing for him each year.”
Even though the spoils didn’t go Mr Stringers way, with his side losing 5-3 to Mr Furness’ side everyone in attendance enjoyed the day and manged to raise money for charity.
Spectators had buckets which were collecting money for a Ark Cancer Centre Charity, which is looking to deliver a new state of the art cancer treatment centre in north Hampshire.
The tribute match raised more than £500 for the charity.
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