Ex-Premier League footballers & Emmerdale star line up for special memorial match honouring 'legend' Paul

The Paul Fiddler Memorial Trophy will take place on Sunday, March 29 at The Rawstorne Centre in Freckleton.

It’s a charity football event in memory Paul Fiddler, who was killed when a tree fell on his van as he drove along Longton Bypass during Storm Darragh in December 2024.

Paul, 41, was massively involved in grassroots foorball, and played for Kirkham Juniors, won the Hogan Cup at Bloomfield Road, and later went on to America on a football scholarship to the University of Rio Grande, where he was part of the only team in the university’s history to win the 2003 cup. He was even invited to trial for the David Beckham Academy.

When he came back to the UK, he eventually moved into coaching at Lytham Town with his best friend Chris Best, and was described as a “well loved coach, football player, gaffer but most of all a true friend”.

The event next month is an official North West Community Stars (NWCS) match — they’re a charity team made up of ex-pro footballers who’ve raised over £250,000 for causes across the North West. Last year the memorial match for Paul was held at Bamber Bridge and brought over 1,000 people together, raising £8,500 for local schools and junior football.

This year, it’s been brought to Paul’s home town of Freckleton and there’s a full day of events:

11am – Dave’s Gold Stars (The Hairy Strikers) vs Warton Athletico

2pm – Main match: Fidds Select vs NWCS

Stars involved include Rick Lambert, Stuart Barlow, Shaun Teale, Alex Baptiste, Danny Coid, Jamie Milligan, Richie Allen, Frank Cygall, Joe Warren Plant (Emmerdale), Ronnie Moss, Dave Woodruff, Paul Haddow, Bob Harris and Colin Hendry

Alongside the football there will also be a bar, food, ice cream, kids activities, face painting, bouncy castle, music, and penalties for children.

Paul’s sister, Sally Elliott, said: “Bringing the memorial match back to Freckleton this year feels really important to us as a family. Paul grew up here, played his football here, and was known and respected by so, so many people in the village. After last year’s event at Bamber Bridge, which was incredible and brought over a thousand people together, it just felt better to bring it home.

“What stood out most last year wasn’t just the football — it was the atmosphere. It was seeing so many people, kids running around with face paint on, families staying all day, and everyone sharing stories about Paul. There was laughter as well as tears, and that’s exactly what we want again this year.

“North West Community Stars have been amazing in supporting us. They’re a charity team made up of former professional players who genuinely care about raising money and bringing communities together. After last year’s match, I actually became a committee member of NWCS, which came directly from the support and success of the event. I’m incredibly proud to now be working more closely with them to help organise this year’s match and other community events.

“We’re trying to make it a real family day — two matches, entertainment, activities for the kids, local businesses involved — something positive that the whole village can be part of. If we can honour Paul in a way that brings people together and raises money for good causes at the same time, then that’s exactly what he would have wanted.”

All welcome to attend.

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