PLAYERS from Whitecroft, Viney Hill, Coalway and Yorkley were joined by others from as far away as Bristol for the annual Mark Burgess memorial match.

The match, between sides put together by Andrew Burgess and Yorkley FC, is a Boxing Day tradition now in its 14th year.

The charity game is in memory of Mark Burgess, who died on Boxing Day 2002 after being attacked as he walked home.

This year’s game raised £1,310 and it will be decided soon how it will be distributed.

The blue side was made up of players who had played alongside Mark against a red side which included a number of youngsters.

The good-spirited game was refereed for the 14th time by Barry Jessop and the match ball was sponsored by Paul Russell.

Food was laid on by Moira Byett at the Nags Head and there was a raffle and auction with prizes including a signed Chelsea shirt. The auctioneer was Chris Howard.

As well as thanking them, Yorkley FC chairman Mark Hudson also extended thanks to Arron and Lewis Hudson and Andrew Shaw for their help.

Mark said: “We raised an amazing £1,310 and I will be sitting down with the Burgesses in the next few weeks to decide where we are going to donate the money.”