The death of schoolboy Ross Doyle has hit his fellow footballers so hard no-one can face putting on his goalkeeper's jersey.

Members of Blackbird Leys under nines now take it in turn to be goalkeeper because no-one wants the job.

Mourned: Ross Doyle Ross, nine, of Redwood Close, Greater Leys, Oxford, died after being hit by a car driven by a joyrider in Pegasus Road, Blackbird Leys, on December 21.

Team-mates will play a memorial game in Ross's honour against Oxford United Colts at the Cuddesdon Way playing field on Sunday at 2pm. It is expected to become an annual match.

Flowers still mark the spot where Ross died. The driver of the car has still not been caught.

His mum Cheryl said: "We are thrilled that the boys at the club are doing something to remember Ross."

Team manager Paul Giles said: "He was our goalkeeper and the boys miss him a lot. It's been really noticeable since they started playing again.

"The first match was hard. One player actually burst into tears on the pitch. It was very emotional for them all.

"They are getting back into it. But it's been hard.

"We don't have a replacement goalkeeper because it is too hard to choose someone, no-one will come forward. We have been making do with players stepping in, taking it in turns."