THE families of a non-league footballing legend and immensely popular teenager joined forces yesterday at a memorial match to raise funds for disabled children.

Those closest to former Shrivenham boss Dave Turner and car crash victim Jack Savage turned their efforts to boosting the Dave Turner Memorial Fund at the County Ground, with two opposing teams named in their honour.

Also leading Wootton Bassett and Wroughton Juniors in his coaching days, Dave passed away on February 4 last year after suffering a heart attack.

The memorial fund was set up shortly after his death, and allows Swindon Town Football in the Community Trust to stage training sessions for disabled youngsters.

Dave’s son James, who played under his father at Wootton Bassett, helped organise the event.

“We have been really excited because it is all for a good cause, and we are trying to raise as much money as we can for the trust to put on some training course for disabled children,” he said.

“We got two squads of 20 sorted, mostly players who played under dad. It’s not a full 90-minutes — the first half is the competitive bit and then we just throw everyone in to make sure they get some of the game.

“They are all former players or family friends, including people he first coached in Wroughton, and obviously Shrivenham and Bassett.

“A lot of people came forward who wanted to play. One team is a Dave Turner team and the other one is Jack Savage. This isn’t just about remembering dad, it’s about remembering Jack as well. His parents are coming and we are working together to raise funds for the same charity.

“The players are all people who have played football through my old man, but remembering Jack as well.”

The winner on the day was the Dave Turner team, who got their noses in front for the final whistle in a game which ended 4-3.

A good turn out of around 250 people watched on before the victors were presented with a trophy donated by Swindon Town legend Don Rogers. Each player donated £10 to play, with collections being taken on the gate, and by half time the count was up to around £1,000.

Sam Collier, Dave’s former protege at Shrivenham, said: “It has been a fantastic turn out with the raffle to come in on top, so we’re delighted with how it’s gone.

“It was certainly an entertaining game for all involved.”