THE mother of heroic Worcester soldier Jason Williams has spoken of her pride after a charity football match was held in his honour.

Private Williams died aged 23 in Afghanistan last year after stepping on an improvised explosive device as his platoon searched for the body of a fallen comrade.

On Sunday, his mum Linda Williams was at a match between West Mercia Constabulary and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue service, held at West Mercia Police’s Hindlip headquarters.

She presented the Jason Williams Memorial Trophy to the winning team – the police – after the game, which ended 1-0 thanks to a goal from Nick Davies.

She said: “I feel very proud. Jason did like football and all sports but basketball was his thing. He would be really proud of this and I’m really pleased about it. It was a great match.”

We previously reported in your Worcester News how Pte Williams, of Sunnyside Road, Barbourne, was killed after his section, 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), went to help after three Afghan soldiers were killed in an explosion.

Hundreds of people lined the streets for his funeral, which was held at the church of St George in Barbourne, Worcester, in August 2009.

Sunday’s game – which also raised money for forces charity Help for Heroes – was organised by local police officer Sergeant Paul Green.

He said: “I had some involvement with Jason’s funeral because he lived on my patch in Barbourne.

“That day has been in my mind for some time as it will be for a lot of people who were there.

“This is just a very small way for us to remember Jason and was something that we wanted to do.”

Sgt Green said about £200 had been raised for the charity through the sale of Help for Heroes wristbands and a raffle including a signed ball donated by Worcester Warriors. He said there would now be an annual contest for the trophy.

Participants met after the game at the Bull pub in Fernhill Heath, near Worcester.