Black Country News: Fun day is on the ball; GREAT BARR: Memorial match achieves goal.

Byline: By Adam Smith

A FOOTBALL tournament is set to become a permanent fixture after it raised pounds 3,000 in memory of two popular former Dartmouth School pupils.

The tournament and family fun day at Aston Recreation Ground, Birmingham Road, Great Barr in July attracted over 500 people.

The event was held in memory of Jak Sullivan and Ryan Davies whose deaths touched many local people.

Jak died in 2004 when he crashed his mother's car in to a speed camera on the Newton Road.

The former army cadet's death led to calls for the placement of speed cameras to be reviewed as, unlike lampposts, they are not designed to collapse when crashed into.

Scott Arms regular Ryan, known as Smudge to his friends, was 22 when he lost his battle against cancer.

Ryan, who worked for Sandwell Council, left behind a girlfriend and a devastated family.

Paul Gillam organised the event in memory of his two friends. "The football fun day was an amazing success raising thousands of pounds and being a great day that brought our community together.

"We will do one every year in memory of Jak and Smudge and 2007's tournament will be even bigger than this year."

Paul added: "There are so many people that need to be thanked who helped out before and on the day so I would like this chance to say thanks a lot to anyone who gave money, played football or helped us out in other ways."

The proceeds went to Cancer Research in memory of Smudge and the Jak Sullivan Memorial Bench Fund - both charities received pounds 1,500 each.

CAPTION(S):

ON SIDE ...Lesley Davies mother of Ryan, and Andy Sullivan father of Jak, with memorial football match supporters Gemma Warner, Paul Gillam, Tom Sullivan and Becky Davies.