A football match held in memory of a former regional daily journalist has raised £5,000 for charity.

A team of Dan Kay’s Monday night football friends triumphed 7-3 against a team of his former colleagues, including Liverpool Echo journalists.

The first in what is planned to be an annual contesting of the Dan Kay Memorial Trophy was played at Liverpool’s Academy pitches, with a charity raffle hosted afterwards by actor and comedian Neil Fitzmaurice.

The raffle, as well as the sale of a special match programme and a number of donations, raised funds for three charities close to Dan’s heart – An Hour for Others, Mind and Imagine If Trust.

Players at the first Dan Kay Memorial Trophy match

Prizes donated included signed Everton and Liverpool shirts, a night stay in the Titanic hotel, a £200 Montirex voucher and a spa day at the Hope Street Hotel.

Former Echo journalist Dan, who was 45, died earlier this year.

He worked on the Echo’s staff from 2003 to 2021, holding roles including deputy head of web, national news editor and live content editor for both news and sport.