FOOTBALL teams from Charfield and Wotton are to put their rivalry aside for this weekend’s derby match to pay their respects to former teammate Jack Jones.

Jack was killed following a tragic accident last Sunday after the car he was a passenger in crashed into an oncoming vehicle on Wotton Road.

The village and wider community rallied together to mourn the loss, with dozens of flowers and tributes lining the roadside where the accident had occurred.

Another passenger, Cameron Williams, remains in hospital battling serious injuries.

Having played for Charfield AFC for a number of years, and against Wotton Rovers FC on many occasions, Jack was well known and well-liked by both teams, with the two planned Stroud League fixtures this weekend a natural opportunity to play in his memory.

The first match, featuring the two sides’ reserve teams, kicks off at 11am at the Charfield Memorial Hall.

The first team match, meanwhile, kicks off at 2pm on Synwell Playing Field.

“The response from the community has been fantastic,” said Zoe Taylor, chairman of Wotton Rovers, “he would have been bowled over by it.

“Everyone knew Jack, he was a larger than life personality,” she added. “Always the first out on derby day and the first one leading the chanting, the last time with air horns and smoke flares. He turned it into a Premier League game most of the time.”

In the wake of the tragedy, Jack’s family and friends said they wanted something positive to come from his passing, and are campaigning to raise £5,000 for a defibrillator at Charfield Memorial Hall, where Charfield AFC play their home games.

Prizes have been generously donated by many businesses and organisations from the area for a raffle, which will be drawn after the first team match.

Any additional funds raise afterwards will go towards supporting the cost of his funeral.

Charfield manager, and close friend of Jack, Adam Spiers said: “Jack would have been overwhelmed by the amount of tributes and support from friends, family and the community over the past few days.

“Please only donate what you can afford, and know that myself and all of the families involved will be forever grateful.”

Tickets for the draw are available around Wotton and Charfield all week, as well as at both of Saturday’s matches.

A Just Giving page has been set up to support fundraising efforts, and for those unable to attend on Saturday www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jackjones1.