A MEMORIAL weekend of football in honour of young brothers Corey and Casper Platt-May who were killed in February has raised over £10,000 for the family and its chosen causes.
Coventry Copsewood Football Club and Junior Football Club held events on Friday evening and all day Saturday at Copsewood’s home ground on Allard Way.
Coventry City sent their U23s team to face Copsewood’s first team in a ceremonial game on Friday to pay tribute to the football-loving brothers.
The game was part of the inaugural Corey and Casper Cup and produced a close encounter which saw the Sky Blues run out 1-0 winners over 90 minutes.
Over 600 people attended the game which the club hopes will become an annual event.
Corey, aged six, played for Copeswood FC youth teams and many involved with the club paid tribute to the brothers.
On Saturday club officials brought ten of the city’s under-sevens (U7s) teams together for a six-a-side tribute tournament.
Corey’s coaches and team mates held a fun day which accompanied the tournament and included bouncy castles and a barbecue.
The organisers said the tournament was a great success and the eventual winners were Coventry Jaguars U7s team who beat Copsewood 3-1 in the final.
The weekend raised £10,000 which included a donation from Barclays bank.
The club said some of the money will go towards a permanent memorial to Corey and Casper at the club’s ground.
A club spokesperson said: “The purpose of the weekend was to show our love and support to the boys and their family and to raise some money for their chosen charities.
“Our club would like to say thank you to everyone that helped this event happen.
“And from Coventry City, we would like to thank Dave Boddy, Jason Farndon, Mike Reid, and all the players of Coventry City FC (U23s).
“We look forward to trying to win back the cup next year – we wish you all the best for the forthcoming season.
“The biggest thanks goes to all that attended over the two days, without you the event would not have been the great success it has been.”
Coventry City wore black arm bands in an away match against Mansfield Town last season and held a minute’s silence for the boys.
And on the club’s bus parade to celebrate their promotion to League One, they travelled down Longfellow Road, the road on which the boys were killed, to mark their passing.
A Coventry City spokesperson said: “CCFC and the entire Coventry community have been deeply affected by the tragedy, and our thoughts continue to be with the family.”
The brothers were killed after being hit by Robert Brown, 53, on February 22.
Brown has since been sentenced to nine years for causing their deaths – a charge to which he pleaded guilty.
Following the controversial sentence, there were calls – including from Corey and Casper’s parents – for Brown to receive a life term.
