A MEMORIAL football match was held in a bid to raise funds for a stone-planter for a life-long Southend United fan’s grave.

Neil Haslam, born and raised in Southend, passed away in June, with his family organising a minute’s applause to take place in his honour at the Blues’ first home game of the season.

His grave is at Southend crematorium and his family are keen to add a stone planter to createin the hope of creating a fitting tribute to Neil, which the family can be proud of and enjoy visiting.

Neil’s brother, Louis Waters, 27, said: “It can be a bit difficult. We visit the grave and you see all the lovely stone planters and things that have been done with the graves.

“Neil has a headstone with a few words but we want to have one of these stone planters, just as more of a fitting tribute.

“We are all trying to get on with our lives as best as we can, but we want a fitting grave for Neil, something we can all take pleasure in seeing and suits his personality.”

Neil had been a regular at Roots Hall from a young age, and friends and family all donned Southend United shirts at his funeral on July 5 at Southend crematorium.

The match was hosted on Saturday at Cupid’s Country Club, in Southend, by Southend ATF - a football club that works with young people at risk of exclusion.

Louis had previously played for the club, and said a memorial football match was one of the best ways to fundraise in honour of his Southend United-mad brother.

HeOn how the fundraiser went, Louis added: “It went really well – there was a massive turn-out. We raised £589 which means I’ve finally raised enough to get my brother’s headstone now.”

NeilMr Haslam was born and raised in Southend, attended the Thorpe Bay School where he was head boy in his final year, and then went on to South Essex College.

He attended university, but dropped out during his degree, and at the time of his death he had been living in London working for betting agencies.

An inquest will is set to be held into his death at Essex Coroner’s Court in January, but Mr Waters previously told the Echo that his brother “had his demons” which “unfortunately got the better of him in the end.”