FRIENDS and family gathered at a tribute football match in memory of a popular Amersham teenager on Sunday.

The Aaron West memorial match took place at Chesham United's ground to remember the football-mad 16-year-old, who died from a rare form of liver cancer in 2009, and to raise money towards the goalkeeping academy set up in his name.

A team made up of Aaron's friends, youngsters from Gore Hill FC and the academy's new professional coach Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz faced the Wycombe Wanderers Community XI in Sunday's game, which was won 5-4 by the Wanderers side.

The Puff Daddy song 'I'll Be Missing You' was played as a tribute when both sides lined up before kick off, which was followed by a balloon release and a minute's applause in Aaron's memory.

The match was attended by Aaron's former headteacher at the Amersham School, Sharon Jarrett, and the mayors of Chesham and Amersham, Mark Shaw and Nigel Shepherd.

King Church Amersham FC, one of Aaron's old clubs, donated £765.80 towards the academy at the game and the representatives of the Chesham and District Charity Cup raised a further £200.

Aaron's mum Dax West said: "I'd like to thank everyone in the community for their support for Aaron's memorial match and the legacy he has left behind, and to everyone's generous donations which will help to keep his memory alive and his goalkeeping academy funded."

The Aaron West Goalkeeping Academy is open to children of all abilities aged 7-18. For details of placements email daxey.40@tiscali.co.uk.