A FOOTBALL match will take place in memory of a much-loved man whose association with an Abergele junior club lasted more than a decade prior to his death.

Nigel Warren, who served as coach, manager and treasurer at Pentre FC, died on December 17, 2021 after developing acute pancreatitis.

In his honour, and in aid of the charity “Guts UK”, a match will be held on November 27 at Ysgol Bryn Elian’s 3G pitch in Colwyn Bay, kicking off at 1pm.

It will be between the last team Nigel managed and the club’s current managers and coaches.

For more information or to make a donation, visit: www.nigelwarren.muchloved.com.

Wayne Pike, vice-chair of Pentre FC, was also Nigel’s brother-in-law.

He said: “Nige lived and breathed football. He was an avid Manchester United fan, and both a manager and treasurer of Pentre FC, which became an extended family.

“Nige was well-known along the North Wales coast as a respected manager who believed that football should be inclusive for all abilities.

“His guidance and his caring nature meant there were plenty of youths willing to play for Pentre. He was even proud to say that one of his players was signed by Man Utd!

“Nige was very much a ‘people person’. He was more than a brother-in-law, more like a brother who was always there in the good times and bad.

“He was a brilliant uncle, and very family-orientated. He has left us with many funny memories and sayings, and has left a large void within the family.

“The same can also be said by many of his lifelong friends - this is what made Nige so special to all of us.”

Guts UK is dedicated to finding effective treatment and a cure for pancreatitis.

It aims to build a community of people affected by pancreatitis, comforted in the knowledge that they’re not fighting their battle against the illness alone.

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After joining Pentre in 2011, Nigel managed the under-six team, continuing with them every season until they reached their final year of junior football.

But he also took on the new intake of under-sixes, the under-eights and the under-12s, and also managed him son, Harry.

The Rhyl and District League has already renamed an under-16s cup competition the “Nigel Warren Memorial Cup”.

Meanwhile, a charity fundraiser in July raised £1,200 for Guts UK and £300 towards a memorial bench, which is being placed at St Margaret’s Church, Bodelwyddan.

Nigel’s illness was especially poignant to Wayne, too, after Wayne’s late father, Albert suffered pancreatitis before his death in August 2021.

Wayne added: “When COVID hit, my dad had just been diagnosed with lung cancer, but was reacting well to immunotherapy treatment.

“Things seemed well for over a year, but in July 2021 he started with indigestion, sickness and heartburn.

“One weekend, his pain became so unbearable that I took dad to A&E. At hospital, they found dad had pancreatitis. My siblings and I had never heard of pancreatitis.

“For the next six weeks, there were times we, as a family, and the hospital staff, thought dad was getting better.

“But as there’s no specific treatment for pancreatitis, dad’s pancreas became necrotic (the tissue died).

“This eventually led to sepsis. Dad passed away in August 2021, and we all had an opportunity to say goodbye.

“This was the first time we’d heard of pancreatitis. We assumed dad’s cancer may have caused this in some way. We never imagined pancreatitis to strike our family again.”