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A community-organised charity football match is being held in memory of Benjamin Lloyd, who passed away at just 27-years-old.

The match at Trecenydd playing field, and a later event being held at the Station Inn, Caerphilly, will be raising money to help cover the costs of Mr Lloyd’s funeral expenses and to show how much he is missed by friends and family.

The football match kicks-off at 3pm on Saturday April 29, while the Station Inn event, complete with raffle, starts at 5pm.

Around 40 players will take part in the match and will each donate £5.

Mr Lloyd was found unresponsive at an address in Cefn Ilan, in Abertridwr, on Sunday April 2. A 28-year-old man from Senghenydd has been charged with manslaughter and remains in custody.

In a tribute to Mr Lloyd, released by the police, his family described him as one of “one of life’s true gentlemen”.

They said: “Ben was so happy and positive all the time, he always walked with a spring in his step. A kind, hardworking and generous man who had a lot of friends. You would struggle to find anyone who had a bad word to say about Ben.

“He leaves behind a very large number of family and friends who will feel his absence forever.

“He was the most amazing son, brother and uncle. There are six very heartbroken children who will miss play-fighting and teasing their uncle Ben when he pops in for a ‘quiet coffee’.

“Growing up in a family of five children and being the only boy, I’m pretty sure Ben often felt outnumbered and in later years felt embarrassed when we would include him in our ‘girl talk’ – at which point he would say ‘yep, that’s my cue to leave’.

“Ben was always joking around and making light of every situation, he was such a bright star in this world and we are sure he will shine just as bright in the next.”

The event has been organised by Shannon Morse, Ryan Wood, Shane Taylor, Jack Jones, Matthew O’Brien, April Martin, Kelly Smith, Kyle Tilley, Macauley Cole, Micheal Evans, Sam Newton, Jamie Holmes, Ryan Thomas, Rhys Wood, and Rhys James.

Friend Ryan Pierce paid tribute to Mr Lloyd and said: “Ben treated everyone equally as if we were all family.

“He wore his heart on his sleeve and he was such a funny guy to be around. No matter what he always had a way to make you smile or even laugh on your worst days.

“Ben was the only friend I actually relied on back in the day, and I have so many memories of him. He was true to everyone and we will never forget him.”