A FOOTBALL-mad teenager who drowned near Donnington Bridge will be remembered when teams from Hinksey Park FC and Quarry Rovers face off in a memorial tournament.

Aown Dogar played for Quarry Rovers and also had connections to Hinksey Park, where his younger brother Naofil plays.

On Sunday, family and friends of the 14-year-old will gather at Grandpont Recreation Ground to celebrate his life and see a trophy awarded to the winners in his memory.

His father Mohammad said he was looking forward to seeing his late son's friends at the event.

Mr Dogar said: "It will be emotional, it is a terrible thing that happened.

"We will never put it behind us, it will be with us as long as we live.

"Aown really loved football and his friends are a very nice bunch of boys.

"They have been wonderful.

"We see them like our own son so it will be nice to have them around.

"We are hoping it will be a good event."

Aown drowned in a stream near Weirs Lane in South Oxford on June 25 last year when he was playing piggy in the middle with friends on a hot day.

At an inquest into his death Oxford Coroner's Court heard he was swept downstream after suddenly coming into difficulty in the water.

He had wanted to play football for Hinksey Park but was unable to as their side for his age group was full.

Instead he went to Quarry Rovers and after his funeral the sides came together to organise the memorial tournament.

Hinksey Park secretary Mick Conmy said: "Aown loved playing football, he was obsessed with football.

"He was always around, he was just one of the boys.

"He was a very warm, friendly, quiet boy.

"After the tragedy of his death we felt we had to do something.

"The fact he was associated with both clubs meant this sort of tournament was appropriate.

"We have spent hundreds of pounds on a really lavish trophy and this tournament will become an annual event and each winner will have their name inscribed on it."

The tournament will kick off with an under 16-match at midday followed by an under-13 game.

There will also be a clash between the clubs' girls teams followed by speeches, a trophy presentation and food provided by the Dogar family.

The trophy will be awarded to the club with the most wins across the three matches.

Mr Conmy said: "It should be a good community day and it is an opportunity to pay tribute to Aown.

"If there is anybody who would like to come down and watch we would love to welcome then, particularly any of Aown's friends from Cheney School."