THE parents of a talented young footballer who lost his life at the age of 11 have expressed their gratitude for the "fantastic support" they have received - as their son's legacy was honoured with a poignant tribute from the community football family.

Popular goalkeeper Josh West, of Ulverston, died in April last year after suffering from an asthma attack. The Swarthmoor FC and Kendal United player died just a few days before his 12th birthday.

Players and supporters of both clubs turned out in force on Saturday for a memorial football tournament to remember Josh and his late Kendal United coach, Neil Humble.

Swarthmoor FC hosted the first Kenmoor Cup, which was raising funds for the Joshua West Foundation and Kendal United, while celebrating the lives of Josh and Mr Humble, a much-respected Kendal United coach and a friend of the Wests, who died suddenly at home, aged 44, in November.

During a poignant moment on Saturday young players from both teams unveiled a memorial bench for Josh. A stone feature next to the bench displays the words "Mark Up" - what Josh would shout down the pitch to his teammates. Another stone says "YNWA", the acronym for You'll Never Walk Alone, the Liverpool FC Kop anthem, as Josh was a Liverpool fan, and also features the Joshua Tree emblem.

Those involved in organising the bench and stone tributes included Pete and Cathy Burrows, Stephen Marshall, Dave Cooper from The Stone Workshop and Burlington Slate donated the stone.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/focFSZ1_cjA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Josh's mum Nicola Lancaster, said; "It's amazing, they've done such a good job. 'Mark up' was Josh's signature phrase as the goalie. If he shouted it here you could probably hear him in Ulverston.

"Josh would have loved this day; he loved anything sporty. We've had so much support from everyone."

On Friday, there had also been a great turnout for a balloon release in Ulverston to mark Josh's birthday, then people got behind the football tournament the next day.

Josh's dad, Lee West, a Swarthmoor FC coach, said: "It means a lot to see the support that we are getting from everyone - it's fantastic.

"We didn't realise the support from the football community until Josh left us. It takes something like this to realise how lucky you are to have that big community family around you. We can't say thank you enough to all of them."

Josh's brother Billy, nine, has been busy selling wristbands for the Josh West Foundation and on Saturday he wore his brother's 'JW' Swarthmoor training top.

The foundation will raise awareness about asthma, but it will also do things like fund activities for young people and help groups that benefited Josh and those who have helped his family.

Mr West said the work will put the message out there that asthma is not to be taken lightly, money has already been donated to Asthma UK in Josh's name. Josh enjoyed going to Feature Youth Club in Ulverston, so the foundation wants to help fund club activities. The family also want to help the Bluebell Foundation in Barrow, which supports grieving families, and has has helped them.

The bond between Swarthmoor and Kendal is strong, with the teams playing to win for Josh and Mr Humble. Mr Humble was one of those who encouraged Mr West to keep coaching. Mr West said: "I was borderline if I was going to carry on with coaching, from the football side of things Neil was twittering away in my ear, so this game had already been planned since last July because of Neil.

"It's about Josh and Neil, but it's also about the two families and teams coming together and enjoying a good day of football."

Mr Humble's wife, Becky Humble, attended the event, and one of their two sons, Tom, 13, played in the tournament. The Humble family were also grateful to see all the support and said it had been a lovely event.

Next week, around 50 people will walk in the Keswick to Barrow and Coniston to Barrow events for the Josh West Foundation.