The football match for 17-year-old Connor Leah, who passed away on Sunday 31 January put together by friends took place this weekend, and it was a fantastic success.
Friends, family and well-wishers gathered at Brookhouse playing fields, Buckthorn Lane, Paticroft, to watch Barton Town FC, play against Connor FC , a team made up of Connor’s friends and brothers.
The sun shone until the final whistle where it ended 3-2 to Barton FC.
Connor FC’s players put everything they had into the game but Barton just managed to stay ahead and hold the game out.
Speaking to mum Sharon, post match, she said, “It’s amazing the amount of people that have turned up, I can’t believe that people have done this for me and Simon (Stepdad) with a predominantly male family, football seemed appropriate.”
Connor’s brother Danny
Once the game was finished and the refreshments had been packed away, only then did it start to rain, almost as if somebody, somewhere held the rain off for the event.
Players, friends and the public’s donations for drinks and refreshments managed to raise an impressive £260, with all the proceeds going towards funeral costs, to give Connor the send-off he wanted and deserves.
Read previous article: Heartbroken family of Connor Leah, 17, plan memorial match this weekend
Nikkita Cole, 26, who used to be a neighbour to Connor and his family for 13-years said, “The support is amazing, it’s amazing everyone has come together to give Sharon and Simon the support they need.”
“Connor was like family, he meant the world to me.”
“He was a little soldier.”
There is a further fundraising event taking place this weekend, those close to Connor have organized a ‘Fun night’ at The Jolly Carter in Eccles.
The event will start at 7pm and local businesses have donated prizes to be given away, these include Black & Decker tools, designer handbags, tattoo vouchers and lazer quest vouchers to name just a few.
The prizes will be decided by raffles and auctions, and a DJ will be on hand, with karaoke later in the night.
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- Barton FC Team
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- Connor FC Team
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- Pre-Match 1 min applaude
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- Left to right: Cheryl, Rachel, Kirstie
Kirstie Barnes, Connor’s 24-year-old sister reflecting on her memories of him said, “Everything was special about him, his inspiration, his fight and smile.”
“He loved it when his nieces and nephews came round, Connor was an uncle to five.”
“The turnout today is really good, it shows a lot of support and love.”
“But Connor had so much fight, doctors told us on the Saturday he wouldn’t live through the night but he battled on all the way through until Sunday morning. That was Connor all over, never gave up.”
“I was heartbroken, it was devastating when it happened, I wanted him to wake up one last time.”
Connor’s family on Sunday
Chelsea, Connors twin sister told SalfordOnline.com, “I’ll always remember his beautiful smile and how he always smiled no matter what life threw at him, I’m just happy to have the privilege to call him my twin brother.”
“Connor was my best friend, he was everything to me I just wish I could tell him I love him one more time and have one more cuddle with him.”
The Jolly Carter event will take place at 7pm on:
Saturday 13 February The Jolly Carter, 118 Worsley Rd, Eccles, Manchester M30 8LS
All images: R. Siddall Photography
