A NEW Stroud & District Youth Football League fixture will be played annually in memory of Nathan Smith who was tragically killed at the age of 18 in a road traffic accident two years ago.

His parents, Neville and Tracey, have provided an impressive trophy that will be played for an annual basis between the Stroud Youth & District league champions and cup winners from the previous season’s U12s league.

The inaugural game will be between King’s Stanley U13s and Wickwar U13s and will take place on Sunday February 10, kick-off at 2pm at King’s Stanley FC. Neville and Tracey will present the winning team with the trophy and commemorative medals to the players of both teams.

Nathan played for Golden Valley Rangers (GVR Chalford) throughout much of his youth starting in the U8s up to the U15s. He was a part of a team at GVR Chalford that won the Stroud & District league and cup double on a number of occasions and also reached the final of the Under 14 County Cup. Nathan went to Stroud Valley Primary School and then onto Thomas Keble School in Stroud.

His dad Neville said: "Nathan’s first love was football, he started playing when he was eight, he was really dedicated."

He also played for Forest Green, Stroud Town FC, Stonehouse Town and Bristol Rovers Academy.