A HEARTBROKEN widow has paid tribute to her "hardworking and doting" husband as friends team up for a football match in his memory.

Dad-of-one Wayne Pink died in November aged just 45 while waiting for a transplant after battling liver disease.

Friends and family of the popular football fan have now organised a charity match in his honour.

Wayne's wife, Louise, said she is grateful for the 16 years they spent together.

She said: "He was just a family man, it was me, him and our daughter Evie. He and Evie were like two peas in a pod, Wayne doted on her. He said she was his greatest achievement.

"He was a hardworking and decent man."

Former Archbishop Holgate's School student Wayne met Louise at the Black Bull when he played for the pub's football team and she worked behind the bar.

He was a lifelong Ipswich Town FC fan and Louise explained: "He was watching the FA Cup final in 1978 with his dad and he said whichever team wins, I will support them for life. He was wearing one of his Ipswich shirts when he died.

"He was a really good player in his day, we have all his trophies. He just loved football."

Wayne, who worked as a porter at the University of York, became ill in July 2017 and spent months in hospital but was expected to make a recovery.

Louise, 39, said: "It just completely bowled us over. From that minute on it all went down hill. The doctors said he was just unlucky. He was an incredibly strong man."

A fair and a football match between Black Bull FC and York University FC will be held at York University Sports Field on Sunday, May 6 from 10am to raise money for Cruse Bereavement Care.