THE MEMORY of a Bromsgrove Rovers football star who was tragically killed in a car accident in 2002 is to be honoured in a charity tournament this weekend.

Rovers will host the Ashley Read Memorial Shield this Saturday and Sunday (May 14 and 15).

Read was a firm favourite with the Victoria Ground faithful in his short time at the club, but his battle for life came to an end in Selly Oak Hospital, after a car crash on the A491 road to Hagley.

Helen Jones, who organised the tournament alongside Ashley's sister, Amber Read, said the tournament would be held every year.

She said: "Ashley was loved by everyone at the club and we still mourn his death.

"This tournament is our chance to remember him properly. If it's a success we'd like to run it every year."

Four sides from the Advertiser/Messenger League will be competing over two days.

Hoolihans will play the Dog and Pheasant on Saturday (12pm kick off), while Bromsgrove Athletic and Turks Head battle it out later that day (5pm).

The winners of those matches will meet in the final on Sunday (5pm kick off), after the play-off for third place (2pm kick off).

Drivers from Bill's Taxi Company, Read's former employers, will be taking part in a sponsored penalty shoot out between Sunday's matches.

A ball signed by Aston Villa players' will also be one the top prizes up for grabs at the Shield's raffle.

Other prizes include a meal for four at the Hogshead pub, £100 worth of taxi rides with Bill's Taxis and bottles of wine.

Money from the competition is set to be donated by the family to Rovers' fund-raising committee.