A COMMUNITY is staging its own World Cup in memory of a 21-year-old football fan who was tragically killed in a car crash.

The Weardale World Cup will take place in Wolsingham on Sunday, June 10, shortly before what would have been Dean Iley’s 23rd birthday.

Organised by football coach and sports officer Dean Tinkler, it will see 16 six-a-side teams compete for trophies in Mr Iley’s memory, with each team assigned a country taking part in the World Cup in Russia this summer.

Mr Tinkler, who coached Mr Iley as a child, was asked to stage the event by the young man’s mother, Julie Dixon, and stepfather, Colin Dixon.

Mrs Dixon, from Wolsingham, said: “Football was Dean’s passion. He loved Liverpool Football Club and we often travelled over to Liverpool to watch matches at Annfield.

“Dean suffered a bad knee injury while playing football when he was 13. He was always very cautious about playing after that but he loved to watch Liverpool. That’s why we felt a football tournament would be such a fitting tribute. It’s is a way to keep his memory alive.”

Mr Iley was returning from a shift at Marks and Spencer in Bishop Auckland on December 8, 2016, when he lost control of his car near the Harperley Roundabout.

His death devastated the Weardale community, where the Wolsingham School pupil had many friends. A memorial stone dedicated to him can be found outside of Annfield Stadium.

Mr Tinkler said: “It’s a privilege to organise this tournament in Dean’s memory. Julie and Colin are lovely people and I have been overwhelmed by the response from the public. We have teams from all over Weardale, as well as Bishop Auckland and Crook.”

He added: “It should be a great day and hopefully lots of people will come along and support the teams.”

Last November, Mr Tinkler, 27, organised a charity football tournament in memory of a teenager who died of cancer. The money raised was split between the Teenage Cancer Trust and Weardale MS Society.

Players taking part in the Weardale World Cup have been asked to donate £5 each, and Mr and Mrs Dixon have requested the money be donated to the same charities.

The tournament kicks off at Wolsingham Sports Hall at 10am on June 10. It is hoped it will become a biennial event to coincide with the World Cup and European Football Championship.

To find out more, contact Mr Tinkler on 07766-785264.