FOOTBALL stars of yesteryear are pitching in to help a seriously ill teenager.

Karlin Fish, 15, from Thornaby, Teesside, has an inoperable brain tumour.

When former Middlesbrough midfielder George Smith heard of efforts by Karlin's parents, Tracy and Glen, to set up a trust fund he went into action.

He recruited former fellow Ayresome Park soccer heroes Gordon Jones, Eric McMordie, Frank Spraggon, Jim Platt and Alan Peacock, to organise a charity benefit night to help the family achieve their goal.

The old team-mates will be on hand to chat to fans and take a question and answer session at the Sporting Lodge Inn, Middlesbrough, on January 27 - while George's 30-year-old daughter, Sarah Louise, a trained soprano, will be among artistes performing on stage.

"You just can't sit back and let it happen," said Mr Smith who heard of Karlin's plight through the teenager's younger brother, Conna, who attends his coaching academy.

Referring to his old team- mates, Mr Smith said: "We all agreed that when we had the opportunity we would do a charity evening."

Tracy said: "I think what they are doing is lovely, it really is. It is amazing how many wonderful people there are in the world - you don't know how many nice people there are. They are helping us with the trust fund, so, if there is a need, we can take Karlin anywhere.

"He has just finished a year of chemotherapy. He had one powerful drug and a mild one and has been really sick and down all year, but now he is absolutely fine.''

Karlin has been awarded the Princess Diana Award for his courage and determination. Despite missing so much schooling, he is top of his class for science. He will undergo a scan next month to see if the tumour has grown.

While his brother is a dedicated Middlesbrough fan, Karlin prefers Manchester United.

* Tickets for the benefit show are £5 each and available by telephoning (01642) 593055 or (01642) 646187.