Match made in heaven
HUNDREDS of people turned out for a special match as footballers who played alongside Luke Jobson teamed up for a game in his honour.
Chants of “there’s only one Luke Jobson” filled the air as the players took to the field for the Testimonial match at Thornaby’s Teesdale Park on Friday evening.
The 22-year-old’s former coaches, Danny Chaney and Nigel “Fudgie” Wilks, arranged the game as a tribute to Luke, whose tragic death after a night out in Yarm united the Teesside community.
The emotional evening wasn’t just about the football, with other entertainment and raffles on show as people shared their memories of Luke.
One of the sides, Thornaby Central FC, was formed by lads who played with Luke when they played in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance.
They took on The Parkwood FC in front of a big crowd.
Mr Chaney told the Sunday Sun: “It’s about Luke and it’s about his memory. These boys, my team, used to play alongside him and they stopped playing six years ago.
“Luke’s tragedy has got us all back together – it was about getting them back and giving some focus.
“Luke as a person was just infectious.
“He seemed to have different crowds that he floated between, he was just a lovely, lovely boy and his parents are.” Speaking about the packed crowd, he added: “Just thank you, with everything, thank you.
“It wouldn’t have been possible without the donations to the raffles, it’s unbelievable the support we have had. “Just overwhelming support.” Ahead of the match, Luke was described as a talented striker and “the fastest thing on two legs”, who scored a lot of goals as a youngster.
People paid a £2 admission fee, with the proceeds being split between several charities.
Red ribbons were tied to the barriers around the pitch, while Thornaby Central players all wore shirts with the number eight and “Jobbo” on the back.
Youngsters wearing customised T-shirts with “Luke’s Love Army” printed on them walked out with players as they took to the field.
The former St Patrick’s Catholic Comprehensive pupil went missing in the early hours of Saturday, January 26 after an incident during a night out in Yarm.
Hundreds of people gathered in a search for the popular young man but, tragically, his body was found in the River Tees two days later.
Six peopel were arrested in connection with his death and released under investigation pending further inquiries.