Memorial football match being held for Ben Bradford, 16, who died night before cup final game

The family of a 16-year-old boy who died suddenly in his sleep are hoping to keep his memory alive through the power of football.

Ben Bradford - who his dad Mike described as a football-mad, kind and generous young lad - was due to don his number 14 shirt on 25 May for his team's cup final.

Ben had been playing for Cove Youth Football Club since the age of five.

The night before the big game, Mike and his son had been busy buying refreshments down at the local shop, explaining Ben was "so excited" and had been preparing all week.

Mike said: "The team had managed to get to the cup final. That was due to be played on the 25th of May.

"He was so excited about the cup final we had been preparing all week.

"The night before, we'd been down at the local shops buying refreshments making sure we were ready for the game the next day and unfortunately, he missed it."

The next morning, his family discovered their son had tragically passed away.

A post-mortem was carried out and doctors found his cause of death was Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).

Ben's funeral took place pitch-side at Pittodrie on 12 June - the first time that has happened on the grounds.

"Football-mad young lad"

Mike said the pair spent a lot of time up and down the road to Hampden and Pittodrie together.

"He just loved the football and loved being involved. So that's how I kind of remember him right now - just a football-mad young lad." He said.

Reflecting on Ben's first Dons game, Mike said: "It was down at Pittodrie. I remember myself taking him to the game.

"We stopped off at the Aberdeen shop and bought a new kit. The rain had started and we didn't bring a jacket we bought him an Aberdeen rain jacket, so he was kitted out with all the Aberdeen stuff.

"I remember just as we went into the stadium his first reaction was Angus the Bull so he made a beeline for him and enjoyed his company.

"It was a mid-week game, I think, in the south stand."

Since Ben's passing, his family have raised more than £24,000 for Cash For Kids and CHAS, saying the support has been "overwhelming".

Memorial football match

The focus is now all on Friday night where a memorial football match will be held at Balmoral Stadium.

Mike said: "Balmoral was where we trained twice a week, played our home games last season so, it's very fitting that it's at Balmoral stadium.

"A huge thank you to Cove Rangers for making that happen."

Ben's team, Cove Youth Under 17s, will be playing against a select team Mike has pulled together comprised of family, friends, Lochside Academy teachers and even some ex-Aberdeen football players.

"We've got some of the Aberdeen legends participating and to be there to watch on - he'd be buzzing with that."

AFC Community Trust and the Aberdeen supporters group will be putting on a display with flag bearers and Angus the Bull, as well as the Robert Gordons College Pipe Band providing some pre-match entertainment.

The match is free to attend and kick-off is at 7pm.

"We want to keep his memory alive"

Looking beyond Friday's match, Ben's family wish to set up a charity in his name - staying with the football theme.

Although Mike said it's "early days", they are hoping through the charity they can give back to other families and children in the community by providing things like football kits and activity camps.

"The whole idea is that we want to keep his memory alive. We want to give back to other families and kids in the community and potentially further.

"We are looking to set up the Ben Bradford BB14. 14 being his number that he wore on his shirt over the years.

"That charity will be set up to - in a kind of football themed environment where we will look to help kids - just include them where they maybe wouldn't be included before."

The family are working closely with Cove Youth to get the charity off the ground.

You can find details of tonight's Ben Bradford Charity Football Match here.

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