A MEMORIAL fund has been set up honour a Tyneside footballer who became a legend during his home-town team's heyday, but who now lies in an unmarked grave.

The appeal to commemorate Tommy Callender has been backed by the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Joseph Hattam, a keen football supporter.

Callender, a former captain of Gateshead Football Club when it competed in the football league, famously led the side during its glorious run to the FA cup quarter-finals in 1953.

Callender, who lived in Lobley Hill, Gateshead, died last February, aged 81, and is buried with wife Nancy in an unmarked grave in Sacriston Cemetery, County Durham.

The Tommy Callender Memorial Fund aims to raise about £1,000 so a headstone can be bought to mark his major contribution to the club.

An England schoolboy international, he played for Lincoln City before joining his brother, Jack, who was right back at Gateshead.

He made 439 league appearances from 1946 to 1957, scoring 61 goals, and played 133 games during the war years, scoring four goals.

Despite efforts by a host of clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United, Everton and Huddersfield Town, to prise him away, Tommy remained steadfastly loyal to Gateshead throughout his career.

In 1953, the team got within two games of the FA Cup Final before losing to Bolton Wanderers in front of 17,692 fans at Redheugh Park.

Coun Hattam said: "North-East football has many modern-day heroes, such as Kevin Phillips and Alan Shearer, but in his day Tommy Callender was as big a hero among local fans.

"His commitment to football in Gateshead was legendary, and it would be fitting for local people to return that commitment in a small, but fitting way, and see his final resting place properly marked."

* To make a donation, contact appeal treasurer John Smart on 0191-410 906.