A CHARITY football match, that was held in memory of a much-loved player , succeeded in raising three times their fundraising target.

Craig Cowland, known as Dowie, was a popular player at Rogerstone AFC where he played as a striker.

Former team-mates and friends of the 28-year-old, Dowie’s Legends, took part in a match against the current Rogerstone AFC side on Saturday, ten years after he died.

Mr Cowland, who was originally from Rogerstone, died suddenly on May 30, 2008 from a rare heart condition at his home in Risca.

The match was organised to raise money and awareness for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), a charity that raises awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.

Conor Jones, manager of Newport Rogerstone AFC, said: “The day couldn’t have gone any better. We had a good crowd there and the standard of football was very high.

“It was a brilliant day.

"We went to Tiny Rebel after the game and had a presentation with a shirt that the club donated that featured Dowie’s number on it.

“We couldn’t be happier with how the day went.”

Mr Cowland's younger brother, Steve Piacentini, said that the day had gone better than he could have ever imagined.

“It was a fantastic day and exceeded our expectations," he said.

"Everything from support, the players, the club was great.

"When started arranging it we wanted to hold a match and raise a glass to Dowie, but it just grew and grew."

The organisers were able to raise triple their fundraising target and they hope to raise £1,700 for CRY thanks to the generosity of his brother's friends.

Mr Piacentini added: "We have currently raised around £1,630 with more money to come in.

"We originally set a target of £500, I think the huge amount of money we have raised is down to how much Dowie was loved. "

Anyone who would like to donate to the cause can do so by visiting uk.virginmoneygiving.com/StephenPiacentini.