One of the country's oldest football clubs will travel to the North-East this weekend to pay tribute to a young footballer who was killed in a car accident earlier this year.

Notts County are to play Shildon in a pre-season friendly at the town's Dean Street ground on Saturday in memory of young defender Lee Hainsworth.

The game will bring back memories of Shildon's dream FA Cup run, when they played Notts County away, in a fairytale David versus Goliath clash last November. Hainsworth was one of the star players.

The game may have ended in defeat for Shildon but the Albany Northern League side gained a great deal of respect from their third division rivals whose fans were among the first to leave messages of condolences when they heard of Lee's tragic death.

The 26-year-old died after a VW Passatt collided with his VW Golf as he was parked in a lay-by talking to his girlfriend on his mobile, in February, this year.

His death stunned football fans from all over the country, who left thousands of messages on Shildon Football Club's website.

Since then the club has renamed the Brown Stand, opposite the clubhouse 'The Lee Hainsworth Stand' and have created the Lee Hainsworth Shield and The Lee Hainsworth Cup.

The team missed out on the Shield when they played Newcastle United Reserves last Friday but are hoping to give Notts County a run for their money in the cup on Saturday.

Manager Ray Gowan said: "Notts County offered their services straight away when they heard about Lee's death and they are bringing their full first team which is tremendous.

"They have done Lee proud. It was a terrible thing that happened but I think he would love this because he loved his football and he loved this club.''

Notts County club secretary Tony Cuthbert said the team was looking forward to coming to Shildon.

He said: "We have built up a tremendous rapport with Shildon, not only among the fans but among the officials as well.

"We feel honoured to bring a team up in Lee's memory and we are bringing the full first team up because we feel it is appropriate. Anything less than that would not have been fair on Lee.''

The Lee Hainsworth Cup kicks off 3pm on Saturday and entry is £5 and £3 for concessions.