Published at 15:28, Tuesday, 14 August 2012

A CHARITY football match raised thousands of pounds in memory of a popular Millom man.

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Friends and family of the late Tommy Murning took to the Devonshire Road football pitch, home of Millom AFC, on Saturday.

A Liverpool ‘legends’ side, captained by Mr Murning’s brother, Johnny Murning, took on their Manchester United ‘all-stars’ counterparts.

Mr Murning’s dad, Tony Murning, kicked-off the match, in front of more than 200 supporters.

Despite going in to the half-time break with the score level, the United side, whose kit featured a picture of big Red Devils’ fan Mr Murning (Tommy), ran away with the game in the second half.

But organiser Duane Farren said the result was not important as everyone enjoyed themselves and the game was played in good spirits.

He said: “Everyone had a good time. It wasn’t about the winning. It was just about everyone enjoying themselves on the day. People have already been asking me if we can make it an annual thing.”

Following the match a raffle, auction and disco at Millom Social Club raised £2,000 for Haverigg Inshore Rescue and Headway, a brain injury charity.

Mr Farren said: “I didn’t expect to raise that much. I would have been happy if we had got around the £1,000 mark.”

Mr Farren would like to thank Millom AFC groundsman Sean Hannah for allowing the teams to play on the pitch, after a last minute venue change.

Mr Murning was found dead at his Lonsdale Road home, in Millom, in February. His brother Johnny said the football match was a fitting tribute to him.

He said: “We had a great day and the family are thankful to Duane and family for the effort they put in to making the day a success. It was a really fitting tribute to Tommy. All his friends played football together when they were kids.”

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