A basketball match is being held in memory of a community stalwart who embodied his club.

North Herts Knights are holding a past versus present match tomorrow in honour of former club chairman Simon Tierney, who lost his battle with cancer at the age of 50 earlier this year.

Simon, along with his wife Wendy, helped set up the club 15 years ago when there were only about 10 years on the books.

He nurtured the club from its infancy, and there are now two men’s teams with 25 players training twice a week, as well as a thriving youth set-up with 120 players aged between seven and 18.

The club even had Letchworth-based player Zak Wells called up to the Great Britain squad last month, something that garden city man Simon would have been immensely proud of.

Simon’s commitment was not limited to sport however, he was an active member of the scouts for more than 20 years, 15 of which he served as a leader in Weston.

His 20 years in the Herts police force, where he served as a motorway response driver among other things, were much appreciated by the force – with more than 150 police officers attending his funeral.

Long-serving Knights player Adam Sullivan said: “Simon was a great guy – never too busy to lend his ear for chat.

“He, along with Wendy, dedicated so much time to our club making it the success it is today.

“He was ever present at home and away games, even in the last year when his health deteriorated he would always be there offering words of encouragement.

“Simon was a very well respected man and we expect a lot of people on the day coming to pay their final respects.

“The funeral really was something to behold.”

The match will take place between 4pm and 6pm at Oaklands College in St Albans.

There will be a raffle and refreshments on the day with all proceeds going towards Brain Tumour Research and Diabetes UK.

A memorial fund has been set up online at www.justgiving.com/SimonTierney.