A MEMORIAL charity football match is being held for a footballer who “always had a smile and a laugh”.

A MEMORIAL football match is being held in memory of a young footballer who died last month.

Liam Brading, who lived in Godmanchester and “always had a smile and a laugh”, died at Hinchingbrooke Hospital on April 13.

His parents Paul and Debbie and sister Lucy Brading and former teammates came up with the idea of the match, which is on Sunday (May 26), the day after what would have been Liam’s 19th birthday.

The match, which is expected to attract more than 100 people, has been set up by Mark Freeman, Liam’s manager at Buckden Junior Football Club for four years, and will involve Liam’s former Godmanchester Rovers side. Mr Freeman said: “Liam was a great lad, a pleasure to manage and much appreciated by myself and his team mates.

“He always looked for humour in situations and was a constant source of amusement to all.

“When Liam took his place on the field he was fully committed to the team and to giving his best, as a hard tackling central defender he neither asked nor gave any quarter.

“But he would be the first to shake an opponent’s hand after the final whistle.”

Mr Freeman added: “It is a tragedy to lose someone so young and at Liam’s funeral it was very apparent how much he will be missed by so many people, both family and friends.

“Our hearts go out to Liam’s parents Paul and Debbie and his sister Lucy for their loss and our thanks to them for giving us the opportunity to remember Liam.

“They suggested getting his old teams together for a memorial match to raise funds for Magpas and Hinchingbrooke Hospital’s critical care unit.”

The match is being held at Buckden Millennium Field at noon on Sunday, followed by a barbecue, raffle and charity auction with the proceeds going to the two good causes.

Liam’s employers, Waitrose and The Music Box in St Ives, are sponsoring the event.

INFORMATION: To donate a raffle or auction prize or to make a donation, call Mark Freeman on 07709 354266 or Vicki Densley on 07827 275512.