Big-hearted Braintree Football Club bosses are holding a memorial match for an Essex soldier who died in Iraq.
Staff Sergeant Simon Cullingworth was a big fan of the Iron and took his club shirt around the world with him.
He used to regularly watch games with his father-in-law Neil Thorpe, who lives in South Street, Braintree.
Staff Sgt Cullingworth, 36, of 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), Royal Engineers, was based at Wimbish.
The bodies of Staff Sgt Cullingworth and Sapper Luke Allsopp, 24, were found in a shallow grave outside Basra and it is feared they were executed after they went missing on March 23.
Mr Thorpe decided it would be a fitting tribute to hold a match between Braintree FC and the Army.
He contacted the club and manager Gary Bellamy agreed.
Mr Thorpe said: "It is only at the planning stage. I am so grateful that Gary wants to do it, I thought it would be a nice touch."
Mr Thorpe, who was born in Bishop's Stortford, moved from Dunmow to Braintree around six years ago and went to a Braintree versus Bishop's Stortford match on a spur of the moment decision, then was hooked.
He and his son-in-law went to matches when Mr Cullingworth was available.
Mr Cullingworth's eldest son Matthew, aged eight, went to four or five matches with his father last season, and two with Mr Thorpe.
The memorial match may take place in late July as part of Braintree's pre-season training and Mr Thorpe hoped it would become an annual event.
Published Friday, May 16, 2003
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