KENT football turned out in force at Hartsdown Park on Sunday to pay an impressive and emotional tribute to the life of popular player Paul Sykes who died last April.

Sykes’ two brothers Pat and Peter both played the whole game, watched by mum Pat and Sykes’ wife Carly and young son Thomas.

Organisers Mike Green and Steve Wells were delighted with the day, and the sum raised will be swelled by auction items and raffles. After the match they presented Carly with a signed shirt from each of the six Kent clubs’ Paul served in his career.

Carly said: "My life has changed completely sicne Paul died, but I am very lucky to have so many people around me and everyone has helped me get through it."

Pat, who with Peter raised around £3,000 themselves after completing the London Marathon the week before added: "It was an amazing turn-out, We didn’t know what to expect, but it was a very emotional afternoon, and fantastic that so many people gave up their time to get involved."

Former Margate boss Chris Kinnear and Dover manager Clive Walker were in charge of both teams, with Gillingham midfielder Danny Spiller scoring twice as Walker’s team won the game, refereed by Steve Bennett, 3-1. Steve Hafner got the other, after Phil Collins’ trademark finish put Kinnear’s side ahead.

Collins and Martin Buglione, two of Sykes’ strike partners both played, along with many other past and present players including former Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler, and Sam Sodje, tipped for a possible move to a big-name club this summer.

Jim Ward (Ramsgate), Tony Burman ( Dartford), Adrian Pennock (Welling) ,Walker and Sodje took part in a half-time penalty shoot out, losing 4-3 against a commentators team.