A CHARITY football match in memory of a pub landlord ‘with a big personality and even bigger smile’ will take place today.

It was 43-year-old Gareth Hart’s dream to run the Thurnscoe Tap – but that dream was crushed earlier this year.

On April 6, police were made aware of an altercation near Fantasy Grill and Balti on Sea Lane in Ingoldmells.

Following reports of an altercation at around 1am, police found him near a takeaway with a stab wound to the chest.

Gareth was found injured and died shortly afterwards – leaving all those who knew and loved him heartbroken.

Lincolnshire Police charged Joseph Allan Malek, 33, of Market Place in Belper with his murder.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and is set to stand trial at Lincoln Crown Court on October 9.

Today, an event in his memory will be held at the pub he loved the most, Thurnscoe Tap on Station Road.

Locals Darryl Hand and Scott Cutts have organised the event – and it’s the second charity football event in the area – and they’re hoping to make it a regular occurrence.

Darryl said: “The legacy of holding an local annual charity match started last year when we did one for to raise funds for Project 14.

“When Gareth died it felt only right to do it in his memory this year.

“His ambition was to get a football team up and running at the Thurnscoe Tap – that’s happened and now all his friends and family are coming together to play a charity match to raise funds for Andy’s Man Club today.

“The Thurnscoe Tap is an advocate for men’s mental health and Gareth would be incredibly proud to see their work still supported.”

Darryl said that Gareth’s death has affected all those that knew him – and it shocked his family to their core.

“It’s been extremely difficult for his family and friends,” he said.

“He was a very popular man, with a big personality and even bigger smile.

“A whole community has been in mourning.

“The Thurnscoe Tap was his dream.

“Since he passed away the customers have stayed loyal to the pub and that’s exactly what he would’ve wanted.

“His dream has certainly come a reality.

“We’ve got collection buckets or any donations can be dropped into pub.”

The game will kick off at 1pm at the Thurnscoe Sports Ground.

There will also be a family fun day held from 12noon to 4pm at the same location in his memory.

Features will include inflatables, a licensed bar, food and drink and face painting.