A FATHER who died when the car he was driving overturned into a ditch has been remembered by his football team.

Lee Lyons, 27, of Chaucer Lane, Strensall, was killed last Sunday when he lost control of his sister's BMW on the village's Towthorpe Moor Lane, at 9.20pm.

The dad-of-one had played as a defender for Strensall FC for more than a decade and was remembered during a celebration of his life at the village's Half Moon Inn, on Saturday.

The team manager, Tony Mason, postponed their game against Rawcliffe FC - scheduled for the Saturday after his death - as a mark of respect to their stalwart servant.

However, both sets of players turned out to remember the popular player, and Rawcliffe FC organised a collection which will be placed in a trust fund for Mr Lyons' son.

Lee Nicholson, a friend of Mr Lyons who was at the pub, said: "Rawcliffe were brilliant and offered their support and offered to put some money together for Lee's son."

A spokesman for The York Minster Engineering League said: "Following the tragic death of Lee Lyons last week, Strensall FC postponed both their first team and reserve fixtures to bring all players together for a celebration of Lee's life in the Half Moon Inn public house.

"The club would like to extend their thanks to the day's scheduled opponents, Rawcliffe FC, whose players took time out to join the Strensall teams and made a magnificent gesture by donating a collection that will be placed into a trust fund for Lee's son Alfie that is being set up by Lee's brother and ex-Strensall player, Sean Lyons.

"Sean has asked that The Press and the York Minster Engineering League pass on his special thanks and acknowledgement of this donation and thanks everyone who attended Saturday's meet for their kindness and best wishes."