A charity football match in memory of a Wirral woman who was killed during Christmas Eve celebrations at a local pub will take place next month.

Elle’s Army will take on North West Community Stars Football Club at The Marine Travel Arena in Crosby on Sunday, July 7.

Both teams will be fighting for the chance to win the Elle Edwards Memorial Trophy during the game, which is being hosted by Marine AFC.

The event is hoping to raise up to £15,000 for the Elle Edwards Foundation foundation, set up in memory of Elle, 26, who was out having a few festive drinks with friends at the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village on Christmas Eve 2022, when she became the innocent victim of a violent feud between rival gangs on the Woodchurch and Beechwood estates.

Elle was shot twice in the head when Connor Chapman opened fire with a sub-machine gun. He had been targeting two men who were standing near her as she smoked a cigarette.

Chapman was later jailed for life with a minimum term of 48 years while his accomplice Thomas Waring was jailed for nine years for helping Chapman burn out a stolen Mercedes used in the shooting.

The match on July 7, sponsored by Constellation Care Services Ltd, is being hosted by Marine AFC at The Marine Travel Arena in Crosby and has attracted some noteworthy sponsors from across the UK including The Rose and Crown in Wallasey, DB Installations UPVC, Poor Boys in Kingston upon Thames, J&H Energy Savings Ltd and finally C&G Marketing & Promotions and hopes to sell out the 1000 capacity stadium.

In addition, both teams have managed to secure some high-profile players with North West Community Stars managed by former Aston Villa defender Shaun Teale, fielding former Everton midfielder Stuart Barlow, Emmerdale star, star Joe-Warren Plant, Liverpool-born ex-Blackpool defender, Danny Coid, England Striker Rickie Lambert and local You Tuber, Still Ryan.

Elle's Dad and driving force behind Elle’s Army, Tim Edwards said: "We are already taken aback by the incredible amount of interest in the event and want to thank every single player, sponsor and ticket buyer so far.

"Elle was a beautiful woman, who lit up the room and is sorely missed by her friends and family.

"We plan to do her proud and make the match as fun and memorable as we can on her behalf and prior to kick off there will be a balloon release for Elle."

Dan Ferguson, founding member of the Community Stars Football Club, added: "On behalf of the entire Community Stars team we are honoured to be opponents for such a special memorial match.

"We are hopeful the game will be an exciting and entertaining one but more importantly, that it will give the community a moment to remember Elle for the amazing woman she was and raise money that will enable her legacy to live on."

North West Community Stars is a club set up to help charities, families, individuals and anyone who needs their help across the North West – as part of its efforts it has agreed for all match day fundraising to go exclusively to the Elle Edwards Memorial Foundation.

The Elle Edwards Foundation, set up by Elle’s dad, Tim, helps families affected by gun crime while raising awareness about anti-gun and knife crime across the world.

The match in aid of the Elle Edwards Foundation will take place on Sunday, July 7 at 2pm, and every penny we raise will go to the charity.

Tickets for the match are available here