MORE than 200 friends of a young Tilbury father and Ockendon footballer will gather at Tilbury FC on Sunday for a match in their memory.

Four friends have got together to stage a special match at Tilbury Football Club in memory of both Lee Benson from Tilbury and another of their friends struck by early tragedy, East Londoner Tony Barnes.

Lee, 38, suffered a fatal heart in March 2015, leaving an eight-year-old son, Brody and eight-weeks pregnant fiancée, Sam Ginnelly.

Sam has happily now given birth to a daughter, named Paris.

Lee was well-known in Tilbury as a goalkeeper for the Tilbury Legends and other sides.

Tony Barnes, who was living in Kent when he passed away, died in a work accident in February 2016, aged 33, leaving two boys, Bobby, age seven and Ben, 10.

He was known in Thurrock for playing for the Ockendon Motor Spares team and was said to have played to the “highest levels” as a young man.

The match will see Tilbury Legends FC go head-to-head with Ockendon Motor Spares.

Friend Chris Mitchell, 37, of Queen Elizabeth Drive, said they had all become friends through playing football.

He said: "It's often said that the best ones are taken first and it really does apply with these two.

"We are all very sad to lose such good team mates at such a young age. Lee and Tony were both gentlemen. 

"They have both had a lasting effect on all our lives and will always be sadly missed."

Four friends got together to organise the match: Paul Cobb, 43 from Tilbury, Paul Cornthwaite, 43 from Tilbury and Mickey Arnold, 47 from Grays and Chris Mitchell, 37 from Corringham.

Entry to the match is free, but a donation is requested towards the Sick Children’s Trust charity. Kick-off is at 1.30pm.