Danielle Hampson remembered by friends and family

The match was held in memory of Danielle Hampson, with the winning team being awarded the Danielle Hampson-Mann Memorial Trophy.

The ‘close-call’ football match, which took place at Howe Bridge Leisure Centre, Atherton, raised over £6,000 for Cardiac Risk in the Young, which works to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death.

Friends and family made up both teams, with Danielle’s Dad, Martin as captain of Team ‘Southampson’ and brother, Andrew as captain of Team ‘Mannchester’.

Nicola Holt, one of Danielle’s best friends, said: “It is nice to be doing a charity event in her hometown and to be raising money for Cardiac Risk in the Young in her memory.

“It is an 11 aside game but we have so many players so we have had to split it into three sections, I’m not sure how it will work, but we’re just having a fun charity match.”

Also amongst the players was Nicola’s son, Jake, who is 13 years old.

Nicola said: “I think he is the youngest player on the pitch by a good few years but we are hoping he can get a goal in for his Aunty Danielle.”

Danielle, who was engaged to X-Factor star Tom Mann, died the day after the pair were due to wed on June 18, 2022, at age 34.

Danielle tragically left behind her fiance Tom and their 8-month-old son Bowie. 

Friends and family gathered at the charity match remember what an “incredibly special woman” she was.

Although plans to stage a charity football match were first put forward only a month ago, the turnout was huge – and even dog walkers stopped to watch the match, which at times was too close to call.

Danielle’s brother, Andrew Hampson, 32, from Westhoughton, celebrated scoring a goal for team Mannchester, however, his celebrations were cut short as Southampson made a quick recovery.

Andrew said: “We were three nil up and then ended up losing 4:3 so I’m a bit disappointed and wish I got my hands on the trophy but it’s all for a good cause and I did get a goal, so my name is on the score sheet.”

Danielle’s sister-in-law, Helena, set up the fundraising raising page and the family hope that after this year’s success, the competition for the Danielle Hampson-Mann Memorial Trophy can be made into an annual event.

Andrew added: “We have raised miles and miles more than we could have ever dreamed we would so hopefully, we can do that every year.

“Even if we don’t raise as much as this time around, we can get a good turnout, raise some money, raise some awareness and have a good laugh whilst doing it, that is what this is all about.”

A speech was given ahead of the trophy collection which said: “Today has been in memory of a very very special lady.

Martin Hampson, who proudly held the cup high for the Southampson team (Image: Harriet Heywood)
“This is the first of these events but the idea is to play for this trophy year in and year out.”

In a ‘bittersweet’ moment, Janette, Danielle’s mum presented the trophy to Martin Hampson, who proudly held the cup high for the Southampson team to celebrate being the first winners of the Danielle Hampson-Mann Memorial Trophy.

Danielle's family thanked Keith Snape for organising the match, and Howe Bridge sports centre for the use of their facilities.

A crowdfunding appeal has also been launched which can be viewed by clicking here.