A football fundraiser for a popular Island coach proved a spectacular success on Saturday.

About 200 spectators turned out for the Jimmy Gray Charity Match between Sheerness East Veterans and Sheppey Casuals.

The good-natured – and occasionally thrilling – encounter raised £3,000 for a very worthy cause.

Dad-of-two Jimmy, a former East coach, died in February after being diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer which forms in the bile duct.

All proceeds from the match, which was played at the East’s Queenborough Road ground, will go towards AMMF, the only UK charity to help research the disease.

Following the game, the club provided a buffet and a presentation was made to East’s winning captain, Jimmy’s son Tom Gray.

John Munday, who helped organise the day, said: “It was a resounding success, really well attended. Jim would’ve been gobsmacked at the turnout, as we all were.

“The match will become an annual bank holiday event, and I’d like to thank everyone for their help in making this year’s so successful.”