Leeds United fan's fundraising side to play CONIFA World Cup team in Wakefield

Darren Powell travelled to the Whites' home and away matches with Michael Kew, before he lost his cancer battle aged 40 in April 2015.

After his friend’s death, Mr Powell vowed to raise £100,000 for charities and good causes in Mr Kew’s memory.

So far he has raised £64,000 for a number of causes by organising charity football matches involving his team, The Kews.

Mr Powell, 34, said The Kews are set to play The Chagos Islands football team in Ossett on Sunday. (Feb 9)

The Chagos Islands have qualified for the CONIFA (Confederation of Independent Football Associations) World Cup in Skopje, Macedonia, later this summer.

The Conifa World Cup is an international football tournament for states, minorities, stateless peoples and regions unaffiliated with FIFA.

The Kews game against The Chagos Islands will be held at Ossett Town Football Club's Ingfield stadium with a 3pm kick off on Sunday.

Mr Powell said:"Everyone is absolutely buzzing for this game.

"It is massive for the city of Wakefield to host a CONIFA World Cup football team.

"As a team we are absolutely over the moon and I can't wait to get started."

Wakefield Mayor Coun Charlie Keith is due to lead both teams out on to the pitch on Sunday.

On June 21, The Kews will take part in a rematch with Emmerdale star and Liverpool fan Danny Miller's own team for the charity Once Upon a Smile at Liverpool's home ground Anfield.

It comes after Miller's side - which has featured fellow actor Thomas Turgoose, of This is England fame, and Daniel Jillings, who appeared in Hollyoaks - beat The Kews 7-5 at Ossett United’s Ingfield Stadium last June

More than 1,300 people turned out to watch that game, raising more than £4,000 split between Macmillan Cancer Support and Once Upon a Smile, which offers emotional and practical assistance to bereaved families.

Mr Powell, of Kettlethorpe, Wakefield, said a family fun day will be held from 12pm, at the Ingfield Stadium on Prospect Road, Ossett, ahead of Sunday's match.

The fun day will include a karaoke and disco, a bouncy castle and face painting.

Entry to the fun day and football match on the door will be £5 for adults and £2 for children.

Cash raised on Sunday will be split between Ossett United and the Chagos Islands team, to help them pay for travel costs for this summer's tournament.