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50 players pitch in for Mark’s memorial match

26.05.11

A SOUTH Belfast football club is holding a charity event this weekend in honour of one of its young players who died suddenly from a meningitis-like disease.

Mark 'Sparky' Elliot, 19, died suddenly in November last year.

His football team, Newtownbreda FC, is having a 25-a-side match between a combined team of 1sts and 2nds and 25 of Mark's friends and family in aid of the charity Meningitis UK.

Mark collapsed in their Earl Haig Park home but died shortly after being rushed to hospital. His family and friends were shocked by how quickly he had deteriorated.

Dean Webb, Mark's cousin and team mate said: "Mark, from a very young age had an interest in sport.

"He was on the school football team and after leaving Newtownbreda High he did an HND in sport and exercise science.

"He loved his football — but he gave it up for a few years and then got back into it.

"He, I and our friend Daniel Patterson all joined the club at the same time and he developed a real love for it.

"He scored a goal in his last match and then tragically he died not long after."

Dean said of the charity event: "It's really about awareness more than anything, about how this can affect anyone."

The match will end with a poignant presentation to Mark's parents, Mark and Joanne.

"His number 14 jersey has been retired and been signed by the whole team and we're going to present it to his mum and dad after the match," said Dean.

Glenn Breen, a committee member and player for Newtownbreda FC, said: "What happened was tragic, the young guy scored a goal for the seconds on the Saturday, and took ill on the Tuesday and sadly died days later.

"The people taking part in the charity match are mostly Mark Elliot's friends, players from Newtownbreda and Knockbreda FC.

"It's the Champions League this weekend and we thought with it being such a big day that we could get everyone together to do something good and then watch the match afterwards."

Chris Walker, ex-Glentoran player, who's son Jaxon died this year of meningitis, is tipped to attend the event in support of Mark's family and friends and to increase awareness of the disease and related viral infections.

The charity match will take place on May 28 at Newtownbreda FC and kick off for the 50 player match is at 3pm. Money raised will go to Meningitis UK.

Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died from the disease, said: "Mark and Joanne are doing a fantastic job of raising money and awareness in Mark's memory. We're hugely grateful for all her support and hope the event goes well at the weekend.

"Every penny his family have raised will go towards this single focus and our ultimate goal to spare people the heartache of losing a loved one to meningitis."