A CHARITY football match is being staged on Sunday in memory of a Padiham engineer – involving the Vintage Clarets and his friends.

Steven Holland, 35, of River Drive, took his own life after battling depression about five years ago and the game at Belvedere sports ground will be in aid of the Samaritans.

Ex-Burnley stars including Lancashire Telegraph columnist David Eyres, Graham Lancashire, George Oghani and Jamie Hoyland are on the teamsheet for the game against Rosegrove Railway FC.

Steven, who was known to friends and family as Ste, was a promising young footballer and played for the Blackburn town team at under-15 and under-16 level, winning the Rouse Cup and getting to the final of the Granada Cup at Anfield.

He attended Padiham County Primary School and Horncliffe Junior School before moving on to Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, in Blackburn.

Event promoter Nick Carter said: “We did something similar last year, with the Vintage Clarets, and that was to support Pendleside Hospice.

“Some of the players who will be turning out knew Steven, or played with him when he was younger, and we felt the Samaritans was the right cause.”

Steven also worked in engineering after leaving school, including the family plastics engineering business, and was latterly a precision engineer in Preston.

Kick-off will be 3pm and there will be a bouncy castle for youngsters, fundraising activities and refreshments.

The Vintage Clarets have so far raised more than £15,000 for local good causes through matches and also helped boost the funds oflocal sides through exhibition games.