Football match to remember Richard

FRIENDS of a city teenager Richard Shaw who died last year came together to play football in his memory.

Richard Shaw (14) fell ill at his home in March 2011 after playing football for Gunthorpe Sky Under 14s. He was taken to hospital in London but died a few days later.

The second annual Richard Shaw Memorial Match took place at Stanground Academy, in Peterborough Road, Stanground, Peterborough, yesterday evening.

It saw his friends, who are now inyear 10 at Stanground Academy, play against Gunthorpe.

Teacher Paul Ripley, who taught Richard music, helped to organise the match which was also raising money for two charities including the Evelina Children’s Hospital in London where Richard received treatment.

He said: “The match is between Gunthorpe and Stanground Academy. Richard Shaw passed away last March. He had a heart-related complaint after playing a football match and collapsed and died a few days later.

“We are playing in memory of him because he went to the college and Gunthorpe was his team.

“I was Richard’s music teacher. He was good at music and he was a massive Michael Jackson fan so I have got a vested interest in the match.”

Last year’s match took place in June in front of around 200 spectators and Stanground won 8 – 3.