HUNDREDS of youth footballers past and present turned out to remember Evesham United stalwart Dave Giles on Saturday.

The memorial was held at United’s home match with Fleet Town, a 4-0 victory that kept the hosts in the Southern League Division One South play-off places.

READ MORE | Report - Evesham United 4 Fleet Town 0

Giles was the club’s youth co-ordinator for more than a decade and spread Evesham’s name as far as Gambia by donating kits and putting on coaching sessions for children in Africa prior to his sudden passing last month.

A minutes’ applause took place before the match on Saturday and manager Paul Collicutt praised his players for providing the perfect tribute.

“The way the day panned out was quite fitting,” said Collicutt.

“Around 300 children and people who came through over the years turned up and that speaks volumes for Dave and the legacy he has left at the club.

“It was nice to see that many people turn out and showed how well Dave was regarded not only at Evesham United but in the wider community.

“This was the third game in which the lads had been asked to wear black armbands with the passing of Dave and then the chairman’s wife (Jenny Cockerton). It has been an emotional time for the club.

“Our thoughts are with the families first and foremost but it was nice to see so many people paying their respects and it also highlights what potential the club has, how far it reaches.

“All in all, it was nice to finish the day with a win but the events of the past few weeks have put into perspective that football is only a game.

“I am sure Dave would have been so proud to see all of those children in Evesham United shirts paying their respects.”