A FORMER headmaster of Bardwell School in Bicester will be among those remembered at a memorial fundraising football match being played this weekend.

Michael Leach took on the role of school headmaster when he moved to Bicester in 1976, but was forced to retire due to ill health and died in March last year.

Mr Leach will be remembered on Sunday alongside Bicester resident and football fanatic Jack Tingey. who passed away in 2013.

The free family fun day event is being hosted at by Bicester Town Football Club to raise funds for charity, with family, friends and football fans going head-to-head for the memorial tournament.

Two matches will be held on the day, one between Manchester United fans and Liverpool fans made up of local players who will battle it out for the Jack Tingey memorial trophy.

The other match will be between Arsenal fans and Tottenham Hotspur supporters, again made up of local players who will be bidding for the Michael Leach memorial trophy.

Mr Leach's, Kevin Leach, said the family will be out in force to remember his father.

He said: “My father was at Bardwell School for 13 years and worked tirelessly fundraising to build the swimming pool for the pupils of the special school and it is still used today.

“So this means so much to me and my family to have part of the day fundraising in my father’s name.

“Thank you to everyone involved, including John Nicholls building merchant, for all their support leading up to this fundraising day.”

Crowds of people are invited to head along and enjoy the fan vs fan football fun and raise money for charity at the same time.

The tournament will be held at the Oxford Road Sports Ground on Sunday from 11.30am.

The matches will be played played one after another and a raffle will also be held on the day, with about 40 prizes up for grabs.

Admission is free, although donations are welcome as money is being raised for Bicester resident Sarah Day, whose family and friends are fundraising to get her cancer treatment in Istanbul.

Money for refreshments on the day will support Bardwell School. To donate visit youcaring.com/sarahday-685481