Aston Villa in Highley for Gerry Hitchins' memorial
Footballers kept the memory of Shropshire legend Gerry Hitchens alive on the 30th anniversary of his death.
The Severn Centre in Highley staged a match yesterday between an Aston Villa All-Stars side and a Highley side.
Former Villa and England striker Hitchens was raised in the village and started his illustrious career, which took in a stint in Italy with Inter Milan, playing for the local miners' team.
Villa's Former Players' Association now plan to make the game an annual event and provide a trophy to mark the occasion.
Martin Carruthers scored a hat-trick as Villa won yesterday's encounter 7-3.
David Norton, of the Former Players' Association, said: "We were very proud to be involved.
"The aim now is to have a game every year so Gerry's memory lives on."
Among those who attended were Simon Goodyear, who wrote a biography on the player, and Gerry's son Marcus.
Hitchens died at the age of 48 while playing a charity football match in north Wales.
