‘It’s the first time we have got together since school days’ – Friends to hold rugby match in memory of Stevenage 16-year-old killed in crash

Brennan Morrison's school rugby team mates are playing in a match in memory of their friend (Image: Archant)

Brennan Morrison, a pupil at Thomas Alleyne in Stevenage, was riding his bike home from school when he was in collision with a car close to where he lived in Datchworth.

He died in hospital two days later, on November 28, 1999.

Brennan was a keen sportsman, with a particular talent for both rugby and running.

Almost 17 years on, his friend Dan Gaze decided it was high time he gathered as many of Brennan’s school rugby team mates as possible to remember their friend fondly.

Brennan Morrison was 16 when he was in collision with a car and died (Image: Archant)

On Saturday, they will meet at Datchworth Rugby Club to play a match in his memory.

Dan said: “I have managed to get most of the team together, but it will only be touch rugby – as nobody wants to get hurt.

“It’s the first time we have gotten together since school days.

“We just want to remember Brennan. We were quite a formidable team back in the day, and he was a massive part of that skill. He was also a good runner for the school.

Brennan Morrison's school rugby team mates are playing in a match in memory of their friend (Image: Archant)

“He was a very happy go lucky person who always had a smile on his face.”

Brennan’s mum, Jackie Butler, and her family will be guests of honour at the match, with Jackie invited to walk the players onto the pitch ahead of a minute’s silence in memory of Brennan.

Jackie said: “I haven’t seen his friends for a long time and it’s a very lovely thing they are doing.

“I know Brennan would have been very proud and chuffed they were doing this for him. It’s lovely.

“Even after all this time, they remember him and want to do this.”

Brennan was studying for his A-levels when he died, eight weeks before his 17th birthday.

Jackie said: “He loved cars and had bought a car for when he passed his test. He used to have his on the drive, and would wash it and ask me to drive it to keep it running. It was his pride and joy.

“He had the provisional licence form filled out ready. He was very excited.

“He loved everything about cars and we got him a personalised number plate after he died.

“He also loved his rugby and was a good track runner. He was quite sporty and probably would have gone on further with his running.

“He was very popular.”

The match on Saturday will start at 12 noon, with Datchworth Rugby Club putting out a team.