Bloods book memorial match date

The Bloods and the Robins are kicking off at the Butcher's Arms on Saturday 28 July to remember Grenadier Guardsmen Neil 'Tony' Downes who was killed in Afghanistan in 2007 at the age of 20 only a year after completing a tour of Iraq and three years after joining up.

The soldier grew up only a stone's throw away from the ground at the King’s Head Pub and his proud parents Sheryl and Ronnie are pictured handing over the silverware for the clubs to share after they drew 3-3 last time out.

The Bloods have staged the memorial match every year since the death of the local lad more than a decade ago when the vehicle he was travelling in was hit by a roadside explosion near Sangin in Helmand where so many other British soldiers have been injured or lost their lives. In October 2015, The Greater Manchester Pension Fund’s new headquarters in Manchester was named Guardsman Tony Downes House.

In a statement confirming this season's memorial match, Droylsden secretary Bryan Pace said: "We are pleased to welcome newly-promoted Ashton United to the Butchers Arms on Saturday 28th July in a preseason friendly to contest our annual Tony Downes Memorial Trophy match.

"It is an absolute honour to stage this game every year to pay our respects to a young man from Droylsden who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of his country. His selfless actions will never be forgotten and forever honoured by this club and the Droylsden community."

Image courtesy of @Droylsden_FC/Twitter

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