A football match is being held to celebrate the life of an avid Charlton Athletic supporter and Eltham football coach, who died in a tragic car crash in America last year.

Peter Underwood was killed on May, 16, when his car collided head on with a pick-up truck driving the wrong way down the road in Iowa.

One year after the 31-year-old’s death, friends and family members will head to the valley to kick off in his memory.

The event has been organised by Robert Orr, Dan Lunt and Mike Piper – a mixture of Pete’s childhood and school friends.

Writing on their crowdfunding page, they said: “We will be playing a game on Charlton's hallowed turf on the evening of Monday May 16 to celebrate the life of Peter which was so tragically taken from us last year.

“We hope to have a laugh and to 'ping-it' just like the man himself!”

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After leaving his home town for America in 2002, Mr Underwood played football before he began coaching the University of Nebraska women’s soccer team.

Mr Orr, from Chislehurst, played football for Wickham Wanderers with Mr Underwood whilst they were pupils at Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School in Hurst Road, Sidcup.

The idea for a remembrance match came about after the friends met up at Mr Underwood’s memorial shortly after his death last year.

After attending the Charlton v Rotherham match in September, where a minute’s applause was held in memory of Mr Underwood, Mr Orr suggested a yearly get together.

He said: “I thought wouldn’t it be great if we can get everyone together again, to remember Pete again.

“I hope it’ll be a nice thing to get everyone together.

“We have tried to word it as a celebration of his life as opposed to a memorial.”

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A football match is being held to celebrate the life of Eltham football coach Peter Underwood.

Now Mr Orr hopes to spread awareness of the event as they countdown to the big day.

Looking back, Mr Orr said his school friend was a true athlete, taking part in long-distance running alongside his footballing career and achieving many goals – including the London Marathon.

Tributes to Mr Underwood poured in from both England and America after news of his death spread.

University of Nebraska athletics director Shawn Eichorst described him as a “beacon of positive light, a wonderfully talented coach, and an even better family man of great character and faith.”

Mr Underwood is survived by his wife Austin and by his two children, Lyla and Jude.

To purchase a ticket and find out more, click here.