Memorial Match a Touching and Appropriate Occaision

Following the recent tragic death of these boys, their former team mates from within Pannal Sports JFC decided to come back together and organise a friendly football match in their memory.

The opposition being Dan Rayiru’s former club, Pannal Ash JFC under 17’s.

The fathers of Joe and Craig, Barry Wilson and Jamie Rayiru, had started a new squad of 9 year old footballers within Pannal Sports JFC in 1998. These lads remained a committed squad who went on to enjoy 7 years of competitive football within the Harrogate and District junior league.

To honour the memory of their former team mates and to express not only their sympathy but gratitude to the fathers of Joe and Craig, the squad reassembled for one last occasion.

Barry Wilson was appointed manager of his former Pannal Sports squad whilst Jamie Rayiru was appointed manager of the Pannal Ash squad.

With the kind permission of Harrogate Grammar School, the game was played on their sports pitches on Saturday 7th March and kicked off at 3pm following a minutes clapping as a fitting celebration of the lives of all three boys.

Despite not having played as a team for some years, Pannal Sports quickly found their old spirit and talent to put on a fine display, creative in attack and resolute in defence, completing the first half 2-0 to the good.

Pannal Ash are nothing if not a talented squad and very quickly recovered that deficit early into the second half and then went on to grab a third. Pannal Sports continued to press and received their reward with a well taken goal late on to level the match. With only minutes remaining and legs tiring, Pannal Ash forged ahead against the run of play and grabbed a late goal to finish the match as 4-3 winners.


The match was concluded with Mr Joe Billington, Pannal Sports JFC Club Secretary making a presentation on behalf of the squad to Barry Wilson and Jamie Rayiru. This took the form of a signed squad photograph found in the “archives” together with a charitable donation for each family.

A very touching but appropriate recognition of the contribution made to the squad and club by the Wilson and Rayiru families.