A NEW tournament is being launched in memory of Dudley footballing hero Duncan Edwards.

The Duncan Edwards Challenge Trophy, launched by the Duncan Edwards Tribute, aims to celebrate young talent across the Black Country, in honour of Edwards' achievements as a schoolboy footballer and county representative.

Edwards sparkling career playing for England and Manchester was cut cruelly short when Edwards died aged only 21-years-old following the Munich air disaster.

This week marks 62 years since the disaster, which claimed the lives of 23 people.

The competition is the brainchild of the Duncan Edwards Tribute, a non-profit organisation which hosts events and exhibitions to raise awareness of the former Manchester United and England star’s contribution to the Black Country’s cultural and sporting heritage.

Jim Cadman, chairman of the Duncan Edwards Tribute, said: “The competition has been registered with Birmingham County FA and we’re working closely with the Stourbridge and District Youth League, which has 92 clubs with 520 teams based in the Black Country and beyond.

“We’ll be launching the trophy with semi-finals and the final at the Dell Stadium, Brierley Hill, on Sunday, August 23. It will then become a knock-out competition in the 2020-21 season with the final at the same venue in May 2021.

“The trophy will be based on the statue of Duncan in Dudley town centre and we’re delighted that its sculptor, James Butler MBE RA, is supporting our project.”

The trophy matches will form part of the upcoming Duncan Edwards Football Festival celebrating grassroots football in the area which will include a former Black Country All Stars game, football memorabilia and street food stalls plus guest appearances from ex- Aston Villa, Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and Wolves players.

John Farley, Stourbridge and District Youth League president, said: "We’re proud to be involved in this prestigious project that will pay tribute to Dudley’s greatest ever sportsman.”