Westbury United’s Meadow Lane ground will stage the charity match in memory of Mark Ashton who died on August 11 following a short but brave battle with cancer.

The friendly game, which has been organised for Friday 25th September by Mr Ashton’s close friend and former team-mate from Terry’s FC Jamel Messaoud will bring together many of Mark’s former team-mates who will be raising funds for Mr Ashton’s wife Emma and daughter Grace.

Mr Ashton was a lifelong Liverpool supporter and his love for the game saw him play for many clubs at grass roots level including Melksham House and Terry’s FC in the Chippenham Sunday League and Airsprung 88 and Trowbridge Wanderers in the Trowbridge League who were just a few clubs that he had an involvement with.

From all the clubs that he had an involvement with Terry’s FC held a special place in his heart as he helped turn the club around from zeroes to heroes in their time on the Chippenham League. From being the whipping boys in their early days on the League they had huge success in reaching the top flight after winning both the division two title in 2002 and the division one title the following season and he played a huge part in the teams success by giving advise to the younger players in the side. Match organiser Messaoud said that “He is looking forward to staging something special as a memory to Mark who was not just a good friend, but a great person to be around and who had a great sense of humour in and around the changing rooms before and after a football match regardless of whether we had won, drawn or lost”.

He added “with all proceeds from the match going to Mark’s wife Emma and daughter Grace, I am hopeful of an excellent response from players who knew and played with Mark over the years and also hope that we will get a fair few supporters coming to watch the game at Meadow Lane that will kick-off at 7.30 and after the game we will be going back into the clubhouse where a game of skittles will give us time to reflect on Mark’s life”.

Mr Messaoud has had a fantastic response from players who wish to partake in the game but he is keen to hear from others who would like to partake in the game, they can contact him on 07850 664454 or via email at melmess@hotmail.com.