FRIENDS and family of a much-loved sportsman - described as the "heartbeat" of his rugby club - are holding a memorial day in celebration of his life this weekend.

Relatives and close rugby colleagues have arranged the event, which will include a tournament in memory of 45-year-old Neil Hadley, who died after suffering a heart attack during a match earlier this year.

Mr Hadley, who played for Chaddesley Corbett Rugby Club, collapsed in the North Midlands South League fixture for the village club's 1st XV against Stourport at Walshes Meadow in February.

He was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital and transferred to Rowley Regis Hospital but never regained consciousness. He died on June 1.

Mr Hadley, who lived in Rowley Regis, was a project manager with Pilkington Glass and left a wife, Karen, and two children, Chloe, 14, and Declan, nine.

It is hoped the proceeds from the memorial day will go to the two hospitals in Worcester and Rowley Regis and his children.

Chaddesley clubmate, Carl Booth, described him as an "inspiration to the younger members of the squad".

Mr Hadley, who played hooker and was known as Capper to his teammates, was seen as a passionate and sociable character who had played more than 500 games of rugby spanning three clubs - Warley, GKN and Chaddesley.

Mr Booth said: "Capper was a great bloke and a great mate and, ironically, the heartbeat of Chaddesley Corbett RFC - the first to arrive for training and the first to arrive on match day, his preparation being impeccable. Again, ironically, he was as fit as a fiddle and looked after himself well.

"I am proud to say that he played under my captaincy at both Warley and Chaddesley and he was always the first name on my team sheet."

The memorial day will be held at the Chaddesley club's Fox Lane ground on Sunday.

The day's events will kick off at 1pm with an under-10s fixture featuring Mr Hadley's son, Declan, followed, at 2pm, by a round-robin tournament between Chaddesley, Stourport and Warley.

An annual trophy - "The Capper Cup" - will also be presented to Mrs Hadley during the day. She will keep it until the next memorial game when she will hand it over to the winning team in 2007.

A marquee with a real ale bar, pig roast and barbecue, together with a children's disco, will add to the attractions on the day. There will also be a bouncy castle, bungee slide and raffle.

Among the prizes in an auction is a rugby shirt signed by the current England team and donated by Lawrence Dallaglio. Rugby teams, including Worcester Warriors, Stourbridge, London Irish and Bath, have all pledged their support in various ways.

Chaddesley RFC chairman, Richard Billings, said: "Neil was an inspiration and very much respected within the club. His death was a great shock to us all.

"We hope as many people as possible will turn out on the day in his memory."