Bristol’s football community will be coming together to honour the death of a local league player this weekend.
The Ben Hiscox memorial match takes place at Stoke Gifford United FC on Sunday, July 28.
It will commemorate the death of Ben, who tragically lost his life after sustaining a head injury when he slid into the clubhouse at the ground in March 2015.
A big crowd is expected to celebrate the popular footballer's life.
Ben Hiscox died playing the sport he loved, football. He had been involved with his local team Stoke Gifford United FC from the age of six, and adored the club. After playing semi pro football at Bristol Manor Farm, he had returned to play for the club he loves in the Suburban league.
He was aged 30 when playing in a match for Stoke Gifford United FC against Mangotsfield Sports, when in the 55th minute tragedy struck. Ben crossed a ball into the box, and tangled with a defender and stumbled and slid into the clubhouse which was six yards behind the goal. He was knocked unconscious.
The game was stopped and Ben was rushed to Southmead Hospital and taken into intensive care.
He suffered two seizures and died two days later.
Following Ben's tragic death, coroner Terence Moore recorded a verdict of accidental death, but confirmed he would write to the FA to raise concerns about pitches at grassroots football. Recommendations were made that the gap between the touchline and the clubhouse building should be looked at.
The club were advised after an FA inspection in the same year, that remedial world would be carried at the ground, and no football to be played there until this was completed.
This was costly and logistically difficult for the club, and ended up taking two seasons to complete. The local community, and Ben’s family, were fully embedded in the club and supported these aims. A series of fundraising events were put on.
Ben’s father Clive, alongside his sister Rachel, went to great lengths themselves, and even ran the Bristol 10k to raise funds .
The club returned to the ground after two seasons, with all the work completed. The family were heavily involved in the first match, and there was a minutes silence for Ben.
His father Clive Bristol Live at the time: ”The whole day went better than we could have expected. There were lots of people who came out to support us, which was really nice.
"It was very emotional, especially the minute's applause for Ben,” he added.
The memorial match on Sunday enters its third year, and sees a team of players that have played with Ben over the years come together to take on Stoke Gifford United. The community of Little Stoke, Stoke Lane, Stoke Gifford and Bradley Stoke will be coming together as a united Stokes community in Bens' honour. This year the match will be raising money for Headway Bristol, the charity that supports victims of brain injury.
The event starts at 12pm, and alongside the football match there will be a bouncy castle, a BBQ and refreshments throughout the day.
The organisers welcome families to come.
Members of the Hiscox family, including mum and dad, will be present on the day.
The Ben Hiscox charity match takes place on Sunday July 28 at Stoke Gifford United FC, Stoke Gifford Stadium BS34 8LP, Bristol.
Doors open at 12pm.
