A CHARITY football match has raised more than £1,000 in memory of a popular coach.

The six-a-side tournament was held in Middleton St George as a tribute to Malcolm Turnbull - affectionately known as Mally – who coached a number of junior football teams in Darlington and the village for nearly two decades.

He died in October 2013 aged 56.

The tournament, which was held on Sunday (August 16), attracted eight teams from as far afield as Glasgow and raised money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, as it was a cause close to Mr Turnbull’s heart.

It was organised by Middleton St George ward councillor, Steve York, who was a close friend of Mr Turnbull.

He said: “It went really well. We were inundated with people wanting to play and it was a really good community event. There were a lot of people there and the weather was lovely.

“I think Mally would have been very pleased with the turnout and the quality of the football. Everybody was getting on and there was no aggression, it was just a really lovely day.”

He added: “About half way through the day there was a gust of wind - it was a lovely day and came out of nowhere – and somebody said: “I think Mally has just turned up.”

“I still miss him.”

The event was also attended by Mr Turnbull’s mother Joyce, his wife, Lynn, son Benjamin, daughter Mollie, and former footballer, Neil Maddison, who presented the winning team with their trophy.

Coun York added: “I would like to say a big thank you to all the people who helped me organise this successful second tournament as all the hard work paid off with us raising £1,000 for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

“Because of all the support and its great success I am hoping to make this an annual event.”