A SPORTS pitch has been renamed in honour of a talented young footballer who died on Christmas Eve.

Family, friends, former teachers and teammates of Scott Holden gathered at Pershore High School’s astroturf pitch to witness the unveiling of a sign renaming it in his honour.

The 16-year-old, who lived in the town, died last year after suffering an epileptic fit triggered by an undetected brain tumour.

His sister Kate said she could not thank the school and his football club Drakes Broughton Rangers enough for their support. She said: “They have been so supportive and the school’s decision to name the ground after him is such an honour.”

Scott played as a striker for Rangers under-16s team.

The club permanently retired his shirt number 12 following his death.

In February, the club hosted a memorial match at Pershore Town Football Club, which was watched by more than 400 people and raised about £2,000 for the Midlands Air Ambulance.

Team coach Steve Goode, whose son Rhys designed the graphic of Scott which features on the new signs, said it was hoped a similar event would be held next year. He said: “It’s a really big honour because it will be there for years to come.

“It’s nice that it’s in an area he lived and we still talk about him at training.”

Clive Corbett, headteacher at Pershore High School, said: “It is with great pride that we were able to agree to name our astroturf facility in honour of Scott Holden, a fine young man.”