Ex-pro footballers take to the pitch in charity match for Jordan Banks
The nine-year-old Liverpool fan died after he was struck by lightning in Blackpool
Last updated 24th May 2021
A charity football match will take place next month in memory of a boy who died after being struck by lightning in Blackpool.
Nine-year-old Jordan Banks died while playing football just under two weeks ago at the fields in the Common Edge area.
Ex-professionals like former Blackpool, Man City and England player Trevor Sinclair will be there on June 26th to raise money in memory of him.
The rest of the team will be made up with the likes of Alan Wright, Steve Thompson, Gavin McCann and Jamie Milligan.
Jordan's dad Matt Banks and step-dad Daniel Begg will also be at the match.
Organisers said the venue will be announced shortly.
Money raised from the game will be split between Blackpool Hospital's Blue Skies Charity and Jordan's family.
The match is usually held every year to play for the 'Blue Skies' Cup' but this year it's being re-named to 'Jordan's Blue Sky Cup'.
Kit has also been designed for the match to remember the young boy.
Local football coach Daz Meehan, who is the organiser behind the game and a fire safety advisor for the NHS, said: "I think this year it's going to be quite emotional and we've got Jordan's dad and step-dad who would like to be involved in the game which is fantastic from all aspects.
"The majority of us have got children who have played the youth football in the area so it's going to be quite an emotional day.
"I think Blackpool is unique and when things like this happen...I think ever since the day it happened everybody's trying to do something.
"It's just an amazing community where people will work together and help each other in circumstances like this. It's an amazing town and I'm so glad I was born here."
To donate to the charity football match click here.