In pictures: Ex-professional footballers team up with family of Jordan Banks for charity match in his memory

Loved ones of Jordan Banks teamed up with ex-pro footballers for a charity match, to raise money for Blackpool Victoria Hospital and Brian House in his memory.

Ex-Blackpool players Trevor Sinclair and Alan Wright were among the professionals who took part in the match at AFC Fylde on Saturday (June 26), to pay tribute to Jordan, nine, who was tragically struck by lightning in a thunderstorm on May 12.

Ian Evatt, John Hills, Gavin McCann, Jamie Milligan, Steve Thompson and former Premier League referee Neil Swarbrick also took part in the commemorative match.

Local football coach Daz Meehan, 50, a fire safety officer in the NHS, organises a match for the Vic's in-house charity Blue Skies Hospitals Fund every year - and this year it was in Jordan's memory.

Daz said: "When I heard about the devastating news I just thought it seemed right that we should help a young family who must be going through a very distressing time.

"For me and all the players involved it was a no-brainer to use this opportunity to raise some funds for them."

This year, the coveted trophy was renamed to “The Jordan Blue Skies Trophy,” in honour of the “amazing young man who selflessly did so much for this community."

Half of the proceeds from the match will go to Blue Skies, and the other half will go to Brian House Children's Hospice, a charity chosen by Jordan's family.

In a joint statement, Jordan's dad Matt Banks and stepdad Daniel Begg, who both took part in the match, said: "Thank you to everyone who came together to make this event happen. We’ve been blown away by the support we’ve had since Jordan passed. You’ve all made a very difficult time that little bit easier.”

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