FOOTBALL legends and music stars gathered to remember young people lost to knife and gun crime.
Taken Too Soon is organised by Real United FC founder Roger Henry as a memorial for those who have died, as well as the lasting struggle faced by their families.
Yesterday's event, held in Stoke Bardolph, opened with two matches from Notts County under 14s and Notts County under 18s, followed by a star-studded game of Notts Legends vs The Mercedes Benz of Nottingham All Stars.
Players included former Notts County striker Lawrie Dudfield and former Nottingham Forest defender Des Walker for the Legends team, while British band Rudimental, Mario Falcone from TV show The Only Way is Essex and BBC Radio One's DJ Friction laced up their boots for the All Stars side.
But emotions ran highest when a mourning mother made a speech to the crowd to urge them to stop gun and knife crime within their communities.
Trish Bergan is the mother of Jerome Eugene Bergan. The 27-year-old was stabbed yards from his home in Strelley back in December 2002 and died from a single wound to the neck.
She said: "I lost my son 11 years ago when he was stabbed to death with a 10-inch hunting knife.
"The perpetrator robbed my son, his mobile phone, his jewellery, his money, but that wasn't enough. They took out a knife and plunged it into my son's neck.
"No mother should ever have to bury a child. He is never going to come back. I miss him very much.
"To those of you today who are mourning loved ones, my heart goes out to you. It is the most tragic and devastating thing that can happen."
Councillor Merlita Bryan, ambassador of Real United FC, said events like this were key to tackling the problem.
She said: "This is a very important day. We shouldn't have to have it, but we do.
"We must remember the young lives that have been taken and show respect to them and their families that are left to cope."
Other stars of music and television attended the event, including TV presenter Alison Hammond, Emmerdale's Lucy Pargeter and BBC Radio One DJ Scott Mills.
The High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Graham Cartledge, also attended the event to show his support.
He said: "This event symbolises all that is good about our county. It shows the footballing heritage that we have, but also the hard work of our communities.
"I truly believe through sport we can improve the lives of deprived children and get them to a better place."
For more information about the club, visit www.therealunitedfc.co.uk/.
