A PACKED ground and friendly atmosphere meant the Ledbury Town FC versus Manchester United match will stay in the memory of the town's people forever.

Brothers Matthew and Richard McCoig-Lees, aged 19 and 16, were at the event with a large group of family and friends.

The match was organised in memory of their parents, Martin and Denise, and their nine-year-old brother Ryan, who were killed in a minibus crash on the M56 near Manchester in July.

Matthew, a season-ticket holder at Manchester United, was delighted the Red Devils had come to his home town.

"Man United are the team we all supported for so long and it's really good that they've managed to come down and play where we live," he said.

Before the game Bob Brock, a director of Ledbury Town, said: "It's a big occasion for Ledbury Town and a big, but sad, occasion for Ledbury people. It's the bigg- est crowd in the club's history, so I hope everything goes smoothly."

The feeling among friends of the family on the night was that Martin McCoig-Lees would have wanted Ledbury to get a few goals, but ultimately he would have wanted United to win. The 4-2 score meant this was the case.

Norman Ellis, a friend of Martin and secretary of the Hereford Manchester United Supporters' Club, said: "I'm quite moved. It's a great tribute to the McCoig-Lees family, to Ledbury Town and obviously to Man United."

John Badham, another of Martin's friends and also an avid Manchester United fan, said: "He would have been chuffed with tonight's game."

After the match, Matthew and Richard were presented with footballs signed by all the players, along with a picture of United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, painted by Ledbury artist Tony Coppin.

Matthew said: "Both sides played professionally and in the right spirit. United's fitness told out in the end, but Ledbury played really well."

His brother Richard said: "It was very good, very enjoyable."

The boys have nominated St Michael's Hospice and Ledbury Hospital to receive more than £10,000 raised by the event.