Tribute to Orchard Park footballer who played on through cancer

TEAM-MATES of an Orchard Park footballer who played while undergoing cancer treatment have organised a memorial match.

Married dad-of-three Terry Clayton "lived and breathed" the beautiful game, say his friends.

He had been undergoing chemotherapy for myeloma – an aggressive form of cancer – when he suffered a massive stroke and died on February 14.

Now, his former Orchard AFC team-mates intend to play a match in his honour on Sunday, March 3, kicking off at 2pm on John Fisher Playing Field, behind the police station.

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Organiser Alex Lamplough said: "Terry lived for football. He absolutely loved the game. We thought this was a fitting way of honouring his memory."

Mr Clayton launched AFC Orchard in 2007.

The team folded last year, but former players have agreed to put their boots back on and turn out for the match against Courtland FC – a club Mr Clayton helped coach.

"Terry was the team joker," said Mr Lamplough, 21, who is the boyfriend of Mr Clayton's youngest daughter Kayleigh.

"He was always chucking buckets of water over players or winding them up.

"He is sadly missed."

Mr Lamplough said Mr Clayton still played five-a- side football, even while receiving the gruelling treatment.

"Terry was playing two weeks before he died," he said. "No one loved football more than Terry. If he wasn't playing he was watching Manchester United."

His death shocked the north Hull amateur football world.

"No one could believe it when we heard he'd died from a stroke," said Mr Lamplough. "He was so fit and healthy, despite the cancer. We were gutted."

Up to 100 people are expected to watch the match.

A collection will be made on the day, with proceeds going to the Queen's Centre for Oncology at Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, where Mr Clayton received treatment.

"We wanted to do something for the centre, which was brilliant," said Mr Lamplough.

"We want as many people as possible to come down and support us.

"Terry would have loved his old team-mates turning out for him."

Mr Clayton was married to Sharon.

The couple have two daughters, Kayleigh, 20, and Victoria, 21, and a son, Mathew, 19.