FAMILY, friends, and budding footballers held a fun-day in memory of a much loved and missed young man.

Liam Simpson, of Greenfield, was only 18 years old when he was killed in a fatal hit-and-run on Well Hill, Greenfield, on Saturday, September 30.

His mother, Vicky Simpson, said words cannot describe the loss of her "perfect" eldest son. Despite her devastating heartbreak, Miss Simpson said she is grateful for all the support given by members of the community, local schools, and Liam's friends who have rallied around the family during their saddest days.

In memory of keen footballer Liam, who played for Holywell Town FC’s U19s team and set up, and coached, the 6-a-side 3G Warriors football squad in Deeside, a charity football tournament was held on Friday, May 25.

Jasmine Cross, a close friend of Liam's, said: "It would mean so much to Liam. His death was one of the worst things to go through. He was a massive footy fan and always tried to get everyone to play."

Squads from local primary schools took part in the tournament, where youngsters battled it out for the winning title which was later clinched by Ysgol Croes Atti, Flint.

Miss Cross said that after the schools left around lunch time, Liam's family and friends got together to have some food and spare a thought for their "brightest star in the sky," as Miss Simpson said in an eulogy at Liam's funeral on Friday, November 3.

Miss Cross said: "It was an emotional day to be honest. We had a balloon release at the start, and then some food. Myself and Kieran had been working with a local singer, Jack Davies, who had written a song in memory of Liam for us. We had that played for Vicky while we ate our food, she loved it."

A road safety talk was also organised, alerting youngsters to the dangers walking near busy roads can entail.

Miss Cross said the proceedings from the event, which currently totals almost £1,400 on a Go Fund Me page, also helped with transporting dozens of Liam's family members from London to Holywell for the special event, as well as the tools for the road safety workshop.

The special day also marked the unveiling of a touching tribute to Liam who was "always happy" with a "beautiful smile" and "the most gentle soul and the most perfect heart," said Miss Simpson.

She told the Leader: "I am so proud of Liam and the work everyone has been doing. In his memory, we have also opened a suite at Holywell Football Club, where people can go, sit down, and think about Liam. It has his pictures all over the walls."

Miss Simpson decided to build the touching 'suite' as she would "see his friends standing there everyday" and that the sight "broke her heart."

Miss Cross added that 'Liam's Suite' is a special place for loved ones to think of the football fan, which proudly bears Liam's name and picture.

An inquest into Mr Simpson's death was opened and adjourned on October 10.

John Gittins, coroner for North East Wales and Central, said he died as a result of a "substantial head injury".

The night after Mr Simpson lost his life, police made a trio of arrests in relation to the incident on Well Hill.

Two men aged 28 and 21 from the local area were arrested and treated in hospital and a 23-year-old woman was taken into police custody and questioned. They were later released.

Police say they are still keen to speak to witnesses and anyone with any information can contact police on 101, quoting crime reference number RC17149031.