THE family of a boy who died in a road accident said a memorial football match being played tomorrow will be an opportunity to celebrate his life.

Marshall Haynes was 13 when he was among four people killed in a collision on Oxford's Eastern Bypass in May 2005.

After his death, his parents asked his former football team manager to arrange an annual match until the year he would have turned 16.

At 1pm tomorrow friends of the Greater Leys boy will once again don the colours of his favourite teams - Manchester United and England - for a third and final time to compete for a trophy bearing his name.

Up to 500 people are expected to attend the event at Cutteslowe Park.

Marshall's mother Julie Parkercorr, of Boswell Road, Cowley, said: "It's a chance to celebrate his life.

"The two previous years have been very good. It's very moving and very emotional. It's a nice time to get together and remember he should have been playing as well."

Oxford-born former Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown will hand the Marshall Haynes Memorial Trophy to the winning team.

The trophy will then be passed on to the winner of an annual pre-season game between two under-12 teams who have lifted the Oxford Mail Boys League Knockout Cup and the Witney District League Knockout Cup.

Marshall died with two of his friends, Josh Bartlett and Liam Hastings, who were both 13, after his friend's mother lost control of the Citroen Xsara she was driving them in.

The vehicle being driven by Angela Dublin crossed the central reservation and into the path of a car driven by 21-year-old Oxford Brookes University student Howard Hillsdon, who also died.

Dublin served half of a two-year prison sentence and was banned from driving for six years.

Alf Pill, Marshall's grandfather, who lives in Cromwell Way, Kidlington, said: "It was tragic. He was an extremely keen footballer. He was a boy you could never forget. Marshall will live on with us forever. I think he would be very proud - the same as we are - that the trophy is being played in his name."

Clint Ross, who managed Marshall at Botley Football Club, said: "This match is the final farewell.

"Some of the lads will be a bit emotional, especially when we have a one-minute silence around the centre circle."