A young people's football team from Hartlepool that won a national competition recently last week got the opportunity to meet up with The Director of Sport Chris Turner.

However, the man who masterminded their achievement - Liam Gough - was not be there following his sudden death in early January.

Liam, a Hartlepool Council employee and well known figure in the local football community, died in his sleep at the age of 53.

Just weeks earlier he had led the Council's Leaving Care Team to victory in the National Football Finals at Sheffield.

Ian Wakefield, who worked alongside Liam said: "Liam was immensely proud to see his side lift the national trophy and I think he kicked every single ball during the nail-biting final.

"All of the lads miss him so much and things aren't quite the same without him.

"It's great that Chris Turner gave up some of his time to meet the winning team and everyone is really enjoyed the occasion."