Buckley rivals reunite for Charity Match in memory of former player and police officer

Buckley Town and Buckley Lions, two of the fiercest youth football rivals, are set to put their long-held rivalry aside in a charity match to pay tribute to PC Ryan Donaldson, a former player of both teams who tragically died in December aged 31.

The match will be held in Buckley, the hometown Ryan loved and where he spent his entire life.

Ryan was a well-known, loved and respected member of the Buckley community.

He attended Mountain Lane Primary and Elfed High School before working in retail locally.

In 2018, he joined North Wales Police, a role he took great pride in.

The two youth teams, whose final match against each other took place in 2008 in the under-16 age category, will once again face off with the same starting eleven players on each side and even the same managers.

The 2008 match saw Ryan, then Buckley Town’s star striker, score a late winner – a moment he cherished dearly and took great pleasure in reminding people of at every opportunity.

Community members are encouraged to attend the charity match to not only enjoy watching some ‘out-of-shape 30-somethings’ battle it out one last time but also to honour Ryan’s memory and support a worthwhile cause.

The proceeds from the match will be donated to the Police Treatment Centres charity, an organisation providing support to serving and retired officers who have experienced illness or injury.

To donate click here