Footballers honour player's dad who died in bike crash

AFC Haywards will host the football match at Victoria Park, Haywards Heath, followed by a raffle and barbecue at The Heath Tavern in Sussex Road next month.

Ged Blythe, 48, from Burgess Hill - the father of club player Shamen Blythe - was killed in the bike accident in March 2015.

Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance attended the scene and tried in vain to save him.

Proceeds from the charity match, in which AFC Haywards will play Heath Pilgrims at 12 noon on September 11, will go to the air ambulance service in Ged’s memory.

Terry Wallis, who is helping to organise the match, said: “Heath Pilgrims used to be the club that Shamen and I used to play for and Ged Blythe used to come and watch. Not only that, it is managed by a close friend of Ged’s - Nick White - who he socialised with along with others who will be playing in the match to pay respect.

“Each player will be donating £10 to play in the match.”

Terry is one of six people organising the event along with his wife Gemma, Jon Fabian, Vicky Jones, Sam Howes and the owner of The Heath Tavern Laura Meanwell.

“We also have the full support of the club and the club secretary Adam Bettine,” said Terry.

AFC Haywards hold a charity event every year for a cause close to their hearts.

Two years ago they held a charity day in aid of a player who suffers from cystic fibrosis.

And last year they raised money for Cancer Research UK in memory of their club secretary’s mum Ann Jacqueline Bettine who lost her life to cancer.