DOZENS of budding David Beckhams forgot the World Cup for an afternoon and turned out in memory of a sports-loving policeman who died chasing suspects.
Former colleagues of PC Keith Maddison, in Crook and Willington, keep his memory alive with an annual five-a-side competition for primary schools.
The traffic officer collapsed after a heart attack in May 1997, when he was following two men who had abandoned a stolen horse box in Howden-le-Wear.
This year's contest at the Spectrum Leisure Complex, in Willington, was won by Willington Primary School, who beat St Cuthbert's RC School, from Crook, 2-1 in the final.
Losing semi-finalists were Stanhope Barrington School and Our Lady and St Thomas RC Primary School, Willington.
Acting Chief Inspector Trevor Robinson presented trophies and medals.
He said: "There are no losers on a day like this, only winners.
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