A FOOTBALL club held a tournament to raise cash for the funeral of one of its former players.
The event hosted by Leyton Football Club (LFC) raised £250 for the family of 17-year-old Elijah Dornelly.
The teenager was stabbed to death in Walthamstow High Street last month. His funeral is expected to take place next week.
Chairman of the club Jerry Omango said he was like a father to Elijah, who played for LFC for four years.
“When Elijah’s mother called me to tell me the news I was in shock. I’m like a father to the kids and he was like a son to me,” he said.
“He was a good boy and a very talented footballer. He went for trials at Tottenham and Charlton and scored 27 goals as a midfielder for us."
Eight teams played at the tournament in Walthamstow Leisure Centre in Markhouse Road, Walthamstow, on Saturday, June 24.
A minute’s silence was held to remember the victim before club officials gave speeches about Elijah.
Secretary of the club, Divine Omango said: “There was a very mixed mood on the day and some people were sad.
“The important thing to the club now is to keep the memory of Elijah alive and we may hold another event to remember him in the future.
“We work to keep children off the streets and away from knife crime and give them a hobby.”
A 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man are expected to stand trial later this year for Elijah’s murder.
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