VETERAN footballers dug out their boots and returned to the pitch to play tribute to community hero Reg Box.

Mr Box died in August, aged 95, after raising almost £130,000 for his favourite charity, the Midlands Air Ambulance, running bingo evenings and singing at care homes.

He also had a life-long association with football in Malvern, managing several teams and serving as president of his beloved Malvern Town FC for a number of years. But some of his former charges proved he is gone but not forgotten by reuniting for an evening of fund-raising football matches dedicated to his memory.

Players from two teams Mr Box used to manage – Reg’s Link Star and the Three Horseshoes Old Boys – were joined by another local side, Intermilokal Old Boys, for a series of matches at Malvern Town’s Langland Stadium.

Despite the pouring rain the matches, which were followed by a disco, were a big success, raising £625 for Midlands Air Ambulance.

One of the organisers, Russell Petty, said: “Considering the atrocious weather it was a really fun night and a real success.

“Everyone wanted to do their bit in memory of Reg and come together for a bit of fun while paying tribute to him and raising money for a worthy cause. “I was probably one of the youngest on the field at the age of 32, with the oldest players not too far shy of 60.”

He said he wanted to thank everyone who turned up to support as well as his fellow organisers Nic Butler and Richard Bradford and Malvern Town FC for its support.

He is already planning for the Reg Box Memorial Match to become an annual event, raising money for different charities each year.

“Because of the support and how much everyone enjoyed it I think it will become a fixture in the calendar,” he said.

One of the people who turned out to cheer on the players was Mr Box’s grand-daughter Sarah. She said she was touched to see so much support. “It was amazing to see the amount of people who turned out and to see how many friends grandad had made throughout his life and through his fund-raising,” she said.