A charity football match is being planned in memory of a soccer-mad Brentwood man who died in a freak swimming accident in Florida earlier this year.
Danny Tarling, 25, had battled against meningitis three times in his life and his friends will be donating match proceeds to the Meningitis Research Foundation.
His old Sunday league team Directa Hotspur will be lining up against Spurs Legends with great names like Martin Chivers, John Pratt, Ralph Coates and Phil Beal being joined by recent stars including Paul Allen and Mark Falco.
Directa's Gary Raymond is helping to organise the event and he said: "Dan was a great friend of mine and a fantastic footballer. If he hadn't suffered from meningitis, he would have been a professional. He was in a class of his own."
The match will kick off at 2.30 on Sunday, November 10 at the Purfleet FC ground with admission by programme or on the gate at £2 for adults and children.
The referee will be Uriah Rennie who will be taking time off from the Premiership to help raise funds.
Organisers want to make the event a fun day for the family and outside the ground, attractions will include bouncy castles and face-painting.
Organisers are also promising some surprises on the day, hopefully including a guest appearance by Chas and Dave.
A raffle and possibly an auction will be held with goodies being donated by some of the top clubs including West Ham where Danny once played for the youth team.
He also played for Leyton Orient's youth team and trained with Queens Park Rangers and Charlton. He turned out for several local teams as well, including Delmar Hotspur, Warley Stars, Barkingside FC and Ford United. He was also a qualified referee.
He was struck down with meningitis in 1991 and recovered, only to be hit again in 1994 and again three years later.
Danny's refusal to give up led to numerous television appearances alongside his mum who supported him through his recoveries.
For programmes and further information, call Gary Raymond on 01621 828882
Published Wednesday October 23, 2002
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