THE footballing legacy of a dedicated coach lives on through a friendly tournament featuring the young people he trained.

This bank holiday weekend more than 100 people gathered on the playing field at Middleton-St-George, near Darlington, for the competition in memory of Malcolm Turnbull – affectionately known as Mally.

It has become an annual event since the father-of-two passed away in October 2013 from pancreatic cancer aged 56.

Friend and organiser Johan Moncur said it has become a gathering of friends who come together to play football and remember Mally, who was an inspiration to dozens of youngsters over the years.

She said: “He was a remarkable man. He had so much patience with the kids. He was so good with them. He would have liked it today.’’

The five teams taking part in Sunday’s matches were made up of young men from the age of 16 to 22. All of them were ‘Mally’s kids’ who he had spent day in day out with during the football season after setting up Middleton-St-George Youth Football Club. He was also one of the first coaches at Mount Pleasant Rangers Juniors.

Volunteers also sold cakes and refreshments on the day and all money raised will be presented to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation in Mr Turnbull’s memory.

Darlington Borough Council Town Mayor Councillor Brian Jones and Lady Mayoress Councillor Doris Jones were special guests for the day.

Coun Brian Jones said it was a particular honour because he was a friend of Mr Turnbull.

He said: “We worked together on the community association in the village and he was such a wonderful person. I think it is wonderful that his memory lives in on in the lives of the young people that he looked after and that they are all still playing.’’

Mr Turnbull’s wife Lynn and daughter Molly attended the event and his son Beej played in it.

She said: “He lived for his football and helping the kids. He was with them every Saturday and Sunday. A lot of the kids grew up with him. They have done him proud.

“Really the only thing missing today is Mally.’’

Winners of the competition were Team Wilson, who beat Team Two in the final two nil. They were presented with their trophies and medals by the Mayor.