TWO local football clubs will pay a touching tribute to a young local mum who tragically passed away by playing a charity match this evening.

Sunday league sides AFC Clyde and OC United will meet for a fundraising friendly for the family of mother-of-two Sophie Stowell, who died suddenly last week at the age of just 26.

The money raised will be donated to Sophie's partner Christopher Grierson, who has played for both clubs.

Chris's friends and former team-mates have already raised more than £4,000 on an online fundraising page, with hundreds of people donating to help Sophie's loved ones.

James Ellis, manager of OC United, told the Tele that both teams wanted to do everything they could to support the young family.

He said: "Chrissy has been with us as a player for just over three years and he's a great guy.

"We're a very close knit group and we all look out for each other.

"When I found out what happened I spoke to the guys and we all wanted to do something to help out, and when I rang AFC Clyde about playing a match they said yes straight away.

"It's not just about the amount of money raised - although that has been substantial - the show of support has also been brilliant.

"There are guys that play for us that don't have any money, but they've dug deep and thrown cash at this.

"The response we've got from the community since we put the fundraiser up has been phenomenal, it just shows how many people in our community care.

"I know it will have meant a lot for Chrissy and his family to see that."

Support for the charity match has come from across Inverclyde's football community, with local sides helping to promote the event.

Scott McFadyen of AFC Clyde, a long-standing friend of Christopher's, hopes that the outpouring of support will offer comfort to Sophie's family.

He added: "The news came out of nowhere and we're all absolutely devastated for the family.

"I was in school with Chris so I knew him long before he joined the club.

"Everyone at the club knows each other very well, we pretty much all know one another from school.

"The donations have been incredible.

"All the other teams in the league have also got behind it and our match referee has said he will waive his official's fee.

"Big credit also needs to go to the Greenock & District Welfare League themselves and the chairman Willie Collins.

"They've offered to cover the pitch hire fees for the fixture too, so that every penny we raise is going to the family.

"We just want to do whatever we can to support them.

"Hopefully this money will let us help out in whatever small way we can."

Those who wish to donate to the fundraiser should visit https://bit.ly/3OLtuhF.