A CHARITY football event will be held in memory of a much-loved father, who died suddenly earlier this year.

The match between Jacob Social Boys FC and Baker Boys FC will be held on Saturday, September 23 at the Netherhall Rugby Club, Maryport with kick off at 2pm.

The game will be part of a day in memory of Jacob Baker, with a charity raffle, live entertainment and bouncy castles all being part of an event after the match.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to Andys Man Club and Mind Ya Marras who both support men with mental health problems in West Cumbria.

Jacob Baker passed away suddenly on Thursday, March 9 at the age of 27 leaving his teammates, family and many friends devastated at his tragic passing.

Jacob moved from Doncaster to Seaton, Workington, joining the Sunday league football team Flimby Social FC soon after, captaining the club in 2021. He worked at Sellafield Ltd.

Jacob was the partner of Sam, father of Grace, the much-loved son of Jeanette, step-son of Bernie, brother of Danielle, and a treasured uncle and nephew.

Jacob’s partner Sam Davis said: “He absolutely loved football so he would love the fact that we were doing one in his memory, he would be chuffed to know we were doing one for him.

“The fact that everyone will hopefully come together for a drink after, that’s what he absolutely loved, he loved watching football and he loved the social side of it folk getting together, he loved going for a pint with his friends when he was watching matches.

“It’s the first thing we have organised since he passed away, so it’s a nice thing for people to come together and share their memories of Jake, hopefully it’s going to show how many people are there for Jake and how loved he was, but also try to raise as much money as possible for Andy’s Man Club because they are obviously so important for men with mental health issues and me who are feeling down.”

Jacob’s friend and an organiser of the event, Stephen Owens said: “I think he would find it hilarious that all this is in memory of him, he would be watching all this and be absolutely laughing his head off, he had so many friends and so many people who would have been there for him while he was going through his struggles.

“This event it would have made him proud, 100%, with all his family getting together, all of his friends.

“Everybody being together on the day, family, friends he would of absolutely loved it.”