Family and friends of a talented footballer who lost his life in a car crash were united by grief on Saturday as two of his former teams played each other in an FA Cup match.
Richard Jordan, known as Richie, was killed in a collision on the A19 on August 4 near the A690 at Houghton-le-Spring.
The 33-year-old, from Grangetown, Sunderland , was remembered with a minute's silence as two of his former clubs - Sunderland RCA and Ryhope CW - went head to head at Meadow Park on Saturday.
Among those at the emotional event were Richie's mum Veronica, his partner Carol King and his 19-month-old daughter Quinn.
"Football was his life until that little girl came along, and then he made it her life as well," said Carol.
"He would have loved this. If he could have got away with this for his funeral he would have done.
"It's comforting, and really good being around people as well."
Carol, who had been with Richie for four and a half years, added: "It's hard because I'm not bothered about myself, I'm just bothered about Quinn, and now she's never going to know her dad.
"But we've got to keep his memory alive for her, and she's his legacy."
Both teams held a minute's silence in memory Richie's memory before kick-off, and a collection was made for his family.
His mum Veronica said: "He would have absolutely loved this.
"Richie never liked fuss, he wasn't bigheaded, but he had a very dry sense of humour and everybody's got a story to tell about him.
"He always played football - he played for 14 teams altogether."
Veronica added: "As a family we've been overwhelmed by all the good wishes and letters that we've had, and by people's generosity as well.
"It's been such a shock, I think really it will hit us after the funeral.
John McClements, of the Sunderland RCA committee, said: "Richie did very well for us. He played for both clubs here today and was a very well known lad.
"I remember him as a laugh in the changing room, always joking, always having a bit of craic.
"He was an honest player, a hard tackler, but it was his character I'll remember most.
"It's a very emotional day, and very emotional on Sunday when we all found out. It's so, so sad."
