Match in honour of football-mad Black Country comedian Tommy Mundon

The comic, who lived in Alexandra Road, Halesowen, passed away last summer after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

Mr Mundon, who was a regular on the comedy circuit for 50 years, was much-loved for his unique comedy style, based on his own working class life in the West Midlands.

His act was seen as a throwback to another age, littered with colourful anecdotes about close-knit communities and pigs in the back yard.

He evoked images of the simple joys of life, of happiness in times of adversity.

Yesterday, players took part in a keenly fought charity contest in his name.

It saw a Stourbridge FC All Stars side square off against their Halesowen FC Old Boys counterparts.

The game, held at the Amblecote home ground of Stourbridge FC – the War Memorial Athletic Ground – ended in a 2-2 draw and was attended by the comedian's family, including grandchildren Daniel, aged 10, Lucy, eight, and William, two.

Admission to the fundraising event was £5 for adults, and £2 for children with under 5s free of charge.

His wife of 42 years, Val, and daughter Caroline Hickman, 38, also attended.

Caroline said: "We had such a lovely day and this was something dad would have loved.

"He was a huge football fan, he loved West Brom but would always keep an eye out for all of the local teams.

"I spent my day helping out on the tombola and lots of people were telling me their memories of dad, how funny he was and how much he was loved.

"All of the family really enjoyed themselves, it was an absolutely wonderful day," she added.

"It looks as though we raised a good amount for charity too, which is one of the primary reasons we want to help events like this.

"In general, people aren't completely sure what Parkinson's entails and people came up to me today saying what happened to my dad made them understand just how far it can change a person's life.

"Today was just brilliant on the whole and I am glad that something so enjoyable can come out of something so horrible," Ms Hickman added.

Aside from the sporting action, the day featured performances from live bands, a raffle and children's activities, including a bouncy castle and face painting. It also marked the return of some familiar faces for both clubs, with former Glassboys favourite Adam Bastable managing the Stourbridge side, while former Halesowen FC boss John Morris took charge of the opposition.

Stourbridge chairman Andy Pountney organised the event in memory of both Tommy Mundon and his father Dinky Poutney, who also passed away from Parkinson's.

The club have held an annual charity match for the last five years, raising around £15,000 for different groups and causes in that time. This year, they received a £2,000 donation from the FA and a further £2,000 from local businesses before the whistle had even blown.

Money raised from the day will go to Parkinsons UK and the Dudley and District branch of Parkinsons, just before national Parkinson's awareness week, which takes place from today through until Saturday.

Mr Mundon, born and bred in Halesowen, passed away last July, aged 80, at Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge, where he had been receiving palliative care for his illness.

At the time of his death, Ken Dodd, fellow comic and a close friend of Tommy's for more than 20 years, paid tribute to the man who spent more than half a century making the Black Country laugh.

Dodd spoke of his sadness at the passing of the Black Country comedy legend.

"I am extremely saddened to hear the news," he said at the time.

"He was a wonderful friend and a wonderful comedian.

"And he was more than a comedian, he was a humorist, he knew all the Black Country stories.

"He loved to laugh, and he always had some great original stories."