FOOTBALL Association bosses have donated £1,000 to a trust fund for the daughters of a former professional soccer player.

Gary Walton, 37, an ex-junior and reserve player with Newcastle United, died during a night out in the village of Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, in July.

He was found slumped behind the Miners Arms pub, just yards from his home in Collingwood Street.

Jump jockey Christopher McGrath, who is accused of beating Mr Walton to death, has pleaded not guilty to murder.

The case against Mr McGrath, 23, of Brancepeth Manor Farm, Brancepeth, County Durham, was adjourned with a trial likely to take place next May.

Last night, Mr Walton's widow Susan, 31, was presented with a cheque from the FA's Benevolent Fund at Durham County FA headquarters, Durham City.

It will go into the trust fund set up by friends of Mr Walton to provide for daughters Laura, 11, and Kara, nine.

Almost £20,000 has been raised through charity events, organised by friends, and donations from organisations.

A football match featuring stars of North-East soccer such as Peter Reid, Bryan Robson and Chris Waddle raised almost £10,000.

A golf day raised nearly £3,000, and there have been donations of £1,000 from Newcastle United and £5,000 from the Professional Footballers' Association.

Mrs Walton said: "When the girls reach 18 it's their money to do with what they want, like using it to go to college.

"It is very kind of people, everyone has been really nice to us and they have all helped."

Former Newcastle United player Alan Shoulder, fund trustee, said Mr Walton would be pleased to see his friends supporting his family.

He said: "I was a close friend of Gary and that was the main reason I wanted to do something for him and his kids.

"A lot of lads came to his funeral who I hadn't seen for a number of years and Gary would have loved to have seen some of the old faces. He was a character and everybody knew him."

Mr Walton played for several local teams including Coundon TT and Coundon Workingmen's Club.

A match is planned between the two sides to support the trust fund