FAMILY, friends and football fans will be out in force at Folland Park on Thursday for the Matt Brown Memorial Match.

The death of the popular security firm boss, football and horse racing enthusiast came as devastating news to the local sporting community – not least Folland Sports (formerly GE Hamble) and Eastleigh football clubs, where he was a beloved fan and sponsor.

It was back in May that Mr Brown, from Kings Somborne, suddenly collapsed and died from sus pected heart disease after exercising. He was just 45.

The owner of Millbrook-based company Senator Security South, the former Hamble Secondary School pupil regularly arranged charity events and auctions.

And now local football plans to give something back when Folland Sports entertain an Eastleigh XI in Thursday’s memorial game (July 18, 7.45pm). Entry is £2.50 with all proceeds going to the British Heart Foundation.

Danny Bowers, first-team manager at Follands, said: “Matt was one of my closest friends.

“He was our club sponsor for the last four years and he also sponsored Eastleigh and went to a lot of their games.

“He loved football and was a season-ticket holder at Saints for many years.

“His funeral was on May 22, my 40th birthday, and nearly 500 people attended which shows how highly he was thought of.”

Follands expect another big attendance on Thursday for the man Bowers says was “a dear friend to so many people.”

Follands will be captained by Mason Brown, the eldest of Mr Brown’s two sons, who played for the Planemakers for two years before going to university.

“Matt used to love going to Eastleigh and massive thanks to them for fitting Thursday’s game into their schedule,” said Bowers.

“We’ve had a trophy made and we hope to play the game on a yearly basis.”