A charity football match is being held in honour of a former coach who always had a smile on his face and put others first.

Dino Comparetto – who lost his battle with cancer at the age of 55 in December of last year – was a much-loved fixture at Letchworth Garden City Eagles, coaching at various youth levels over the years.

In memory of the football-mad coach, the Eagles will be playing a match against Stotfold FC – where Dino previously helped coach – at 1pm on Sunday, August 16, to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Dino – who was a fan of motorcycles and loved to play the guitar – lived with his wife Annette in Hitchin, and was a taxi driver in Letchworth and the surrounding area.

Eagles club development officer Gary Williams said: “I went to visit Dino the week before he passed away and sat on his bed laughing at his football stories.

“I asked him if there was anything we could do for him and he said he would love a charity game to raise funds for the Macmillan nurses, as they had been fantastic.

“Dino was known and loved by many.

“He was a character of life that always had a smile on his face, he loved his football and supported Ipswich Town FC.

“At Eagles Dino helped the children that we couldn’t find teams for play the game by giving up his time and effort to help their development – he was always thinking of others.”

Former Stotfold FC coach Sean Penny is putting together a team of ex-players to take on Gary’s squad of coaches.

Gates will open at noon for the event at the club – which is on Baldock Road – and there will be a barbecue and refreshments available as well as the big match.

Each player is asked to give a minimum donation of £10 to Macmillan, while a portion of the money raised will go towards the Eagles’ club extension.

Any ex-players wishing to take part can find out more by emailing letchwortheagles@aol.com.