Ben Kinsella

A FOOTBALL competition will take place this weekend to mark the 16th anniversary of the murder of Islington schoolboy Ben Kinsella.

The Soccaroonies have signed up to take part in the commemorative football match The Soccaroonies Do The Ben Kinsella Trust, to pay tribute to Ben’s memory and raise awareness of the work the trust does around knife crime.

Footballers need to pay £20 to take part in the game, which takes place on Sunday between 12pm and 2pm at Market Road football pitches, while professional footballers Anthony Wordsworth and Alfie Potter will be in the starting 11.

“We are honoured to be a part of this year’s event and to help raise awareness for the critical work of the Ben Kinsella Trust,” said Tony Hassan, the founder of Soccaroonies, based in Clissold Park by Newington Green.

“Ben’s legacy lives on through the Trust’s important work, and we hope this match will be a successful tribute to his memory.”

The trust has worked with more than 35,000 young people in the years since Ben was murdered near Caledonian Road, in 2008, at the age of 16 while out celebrating the end of his GCSEs.

“We are incredibly grateful to Tony Hassan and Soccaroonies for organising this important event,” said Patrick Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust.

“This match not only allows us to remember Ben but also raises vital funds to continue our work in preventing knife crime and keeping young people safe.”