A YOUTH football team is re-uniting for a match in memory of a fellow player who died last month.

Overton Youth Football Club is getting back on the pitch years later to raise money in honour of Ben Wilson, who was hit by a car and died on September 15.

Team coach Bob Bailey has been organising the event as part of a small committee, and remembers the 18-year-old joining the youth team at the age of six.

Bob said: “The team broke up when the boys reached 16, by this time Ben and my own son Daniel Gibbard had become best friends, so I saw Ben often until his awful accident.

“A number of people were keen to help, a few ideas were discussed, however nothing seemed right, from nowhere the idea came to me to attempt to reunite the team for one more game in honour of Ben, some boys are still local, some at university, one even in Holland, however everyone has committed to the game.”

The game is set for November 11 from 12.45pm to 4pm, playing against a team from Popley AFC.

Donations have been pouring in already for the Overton teenager after his family decided on St John Ambulance as their chosen charity for Ben.

Nearly £600 had been raised on a Just Giving page.

The committee has also had “generous offers” from Oakley Hall, where Ben had worked, Rangers football team and Basingstoke College of Technology, where he was training to be a barber.

Aside from the match, live music, a disco, a sponsored head shave and a local celebrity appearance are also being planned for the day, looking to raise £2,500.

On the Just Giving page, Bob added: “I hope that you will give what you can spare so that Ben’s family might draw some tiny comfort knowing how loved Ben and the family are.”

To donate go to justgiving.com/fundraising/benstuartwilson-18.