MATCH IS TOP DEAN TRIBUTE

JAMES DEAN’S impact on former teammates and the Non-League game shone through at the memorial game to celebrate his life.

- Matt Badcock

WINNERS: Chorley with the James Dean Memorial Trophy and Garry Flitcroft, left, with James Dean’s father Players from the Chorley and FC Halifax teams Dean played in came together on Sunday for a special memorial to the 35-year-old, who passed away in May.

Chorley, led by Garry Flitcroft, beat Neil Aspin’s FC Halifax team to lift the first-ever James Dean Memorial Trophy, with an auction also held and live music in a fitting tribute.

Tom Baker, who played with Dean at both clubs and then signed him when he was Trafford manager, says it was an emotional day – but the turnout, including more than 500 supporters, showed how many lives the ex-Altrincham, Stalybridge, AFC Fylde and Warrington forward touched.

Legacy

Baker told