Samantha Birtles, the wife of Nottingham Forest legend Garry Birtles, has died at the age of 56.
Samantha passed away this morning after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Garry described her battle as "incredibly brave". A charity match for the Samantha Birtles Trophy will go ahead as planned on Sunday at Basford United's Greenwich Avenue ground.
Samantha's family will be in attendance, as she would have wanted, Garry said.
In the days before her death, Garry said: “I can’t thank the NHS enough. The doctors and nurses, her consultant have been incredible. What a job they do.
“Samantha has coped unbelievably well. She’s been incredible. To battle it how she has - the chemo and everything - has been incredible.
“She’s just been incredibly brave and incredibly strong. It’s just been humbling to watch her.”
Samantha was diagnosed in April 2019 and outlived her initial prognosis by more than a year.
Fundraising for Treetops Hospice, in Samantha’s name, has been going on for some time, with more than £20,000 worth of donations generated so far.
Further funds will be raised this Sunday at the game, which features the likes of Des Walker, Michael Dawson and Andy Reid.
Nigel Clough, Martin O'Neill and Kevin Keegan will also be in attendance.
Although the game is sold out, donations via a virtual ticket can still be made at the Basford United club shop, with funds going to Treetops.
