IPSWICH: Tragic headteacher Owain Richards has been honoured after the football fanatic’s two former clubs contested a match in his memory.

Pupils, parents and staff at Cliff Lane Primary School were left in shock when the 42-year-old was found dead at his Ipswich home in February.

The father-of-two was a former semi-professional footballer, but in recent years had played for Boxted Lodgers in Essex and the Holbrook Swan in Suffolk.

The two sides came together on Saturday to play a match in his honour before the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Chelsea – Mr Richards’ favourite team.

His wife, Angela, and two children, Oscar, seven, and Charlotte, 12, watched as home side Holbrook overcame their visitors 3-0.

Officials from both clubs have pledged to make the game an annual event.

Organiser Martyn O’Leary, manager of the Holbrook Swan Football Club, said: “Owain was incredibly passionate about his football and would have been so proud to see his former clubs taking each other on in his memory.

“Today was not about the result, but about remembering a great character.”

Mr Richards had been headteacher at Cliff Lane since 2004 after moving to Suffolk from Essex. After his death, colleagues and friends remembered him as a dedicated professional, an inspirational teacher and a loving father.

Mr O’Leary added: “We were keen to do something to remember Owain and a football match seemed like the perfect tribute. The only sadness is he couldn’t be here to take part.”

An inquest into Mr Richards’ death is due to take place tomorrow.

- If you would like to pay tribute to Owain Richards, write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk