PUPILS and staff of a school battled on the football field in a charity match dedicated to a pupil who died of cancer – and the teachers got thrashed The game was in honour of Ollie Mills who died of a brain tumour just before his A-levels at Verulam Scho

PUPILS and staff of a school battled on the football field in a charity match dedicated to a pupil who died of cancer - and the teachers got thrashed

The game was in honour of Ollie Mills who died of a brain tumour just before his A-levels at Verulam School, St Albans.

About 1,500 people turned up to the St Albans City FC ground in Clarence Park to watch the game. It was the second match held in remembrance of Ollie and raised more than £2,500 for the Teenage Cancer Trust through ticket sales, a raffle and a penalty shootout.

Staff were beaten five-nil by the student team, with Christian Tendi, aged 18, scoring four and Leo Gibbon, 18, scoring one.

Ex Arsenal star and pundit Lee Dixon and Watford defender Danny Shittu were guests at the match and presented the cup to the winning team as well as a bottle of champagne to man of the match Christian Tendi.

The students' team manager Wasim Loothfaully, aged 18, said they won through superior skill and pace and added: "The teachers struggled to handle our forwards."

Ollie had been captain of the Verulam football team from Year Seven to 13 and also played for St Albans City so the school felt that a football match would be a fitting tribute.

Ollie was aged 18 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in January 2005 and died in May.