Hundreds attend charity match in memory of Luca Skivington

The life of talented footballer Luca Skivington was celebrated on Sunday with a charity football match held in his honour.

A team made up of Luca’s closest friends played against Maidenhead Rangers in the first ever Luca Skivington Memorial Match on the fourth anniversary of the teenager’s tragic death in a car accident in 2019.

Hundreds of people turned up to show their support at Burnham FC’s 1878 Stadium –the club where Luca’s dad Glenn is co-owner and where Luca played for the U18s team.

Taking organisers by surprise, double the amount of players arrived on the day, all eager to participate in the inaugural match that remembered their friend and fellow footballer.

Funds raised on the day went to Centrepoint, a charity close to Luca’s heart, with business owners in Cookham, where Luca grew up, coming together in a huge show of support to provide 30 raffle prizes.

Playing with passion, ‘Luca’s 11’, took a 2-0 lead early on in the game against Maidenhead Rangers, but just before half time the Sunday league team regrouped and equalled the score.

In the second half, a penalty was awarded, and taken by Luca’s 11 player Marco Skivington – Luca’s younger brother. He scored, securing a 3-2 victory for his side.

Luca tragically lost his life, aged just 17, when he was a passenger in a car that lost control in Beaconsfield in 2019.

His sudden death shook the Burnham football community and villagers in Cookham where the rising star lived with his dad Glenn, Mum Michele, and Marco.

Every year since his death, the Skivington family and close friends gather near to where Luca lost his life as a way of remembering him and helping each other through the grieving process.

This was the first time that the date of the accident, August 6, fell on a Sunday and it gave Luca’s friends the idea to hold a memorial match.

Close friend and match organiser, Elliott Jack, said that it was an amazing day that surpassed expectations.

“It went much better than expected. Players kept turning up and we made sure everyone was included and they all got minutes to play.

“The game itself was perfect. It was very competitive – our Rangers lot don’t like to lose – but I was managing Luca’s team so I was happy with the lead and then just before half time the Rangers team scored two.”

“One of the goals was probably one of the best goals I’ve ever seen played by the team.

“But Marco’s goal just topped-off a perfect day. It was equally balanced and just a brilliant match.”

After the match, a sold-out raffle was drawn where 1,000 tickets were bought for 30 luxury prizes, most of which were donated by businesses in Cookham.

“There was a massive turnout in the bar,” Elliott added.

“Myself, Rangers’ manager Tom Garner and our chairman Max Roberts did a speech and we gave a framed picture of Luca to his parents. At the end of the day Luca’s mum did a thank you speech and there was a donation of £1,000 from someone.”

Elliott and his co-organisers marked the match by creating special ‘number six’ player shirts for the Luca’s 11 team, plus they had keyrings made with Luca’s photo inside.

Elliott said: “The shirts looked amazing and we made the keyrings as a thank you to all the boys who played for Luca’s team. It was a very special day and something we will do every year.”

Paul Butler, media and marketing director for Burnham Leisure (2020) Limited, owners of Burnham FC, said that it was ‘an emotional day’.

He said: “However, the family were among friends and the atmosphere was one of celebrating Luca’s memory while raising lots of money for the Centrepoint charity.

“It was a lovely opportunity to see so many of Luca’s teammates come together for such a worthwhile cause.

“Tom Garner, Elliott Jack and Max Roberts and the rest of the Maidenhead Rangers lads did a fantastic job of organising the event and we are all very proud of what was achieved.

“A massive thank you to all who attended, paying tribute to Luca and showing their support. I believe the total donations on the day was over £3,000, adding to the £12,500 which had already been raised on Luca’s Just Giving page.”

The donation page is still open at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/luca-skivington