Notts County, Mansfield Town to compete for Matt Salmon Trophy at Meadow Lane

Notts County and Mansfield Town will contest the Matt Salmon Trophy when they face off at Meadow Lane on Saturday.

Matt, who died last May aged just 25 after a long battle with cancer, had a work experience spell in the medical department at Meadow Lane before spending three-and-a-half years with the Stags as academy physio.

Both sides competed for the trophy in the reverse fixture at Field Mill in September, with Mansfield winning on that occasion, and the fixture at the Lane will be the final time the trophy will be at stake.

Notts also announced that Matt's family will be welcomed into hospitality for the League Two match, which kicks off at 1pm, while a number of his friends will be in the stands.

Notts chairman and owner Alan Hardy told the official club site: “We saw in the reverse fixture how loved and respected Matt was by people from both clubs.

“He left such a positive impression on all who knew him and we’re proud to once again be remembering him by competing for a trophy named in his honour.

“This serves as a timely reminder that football – as important as it is to us – is not the be all and end all.

"We look forward to having his family here with us and paying our respects to such a popular young man.”

Mansfield CEO Carolyn Radford told the Stags site: "We all know of the fierce rivalry between Mansfield Town and Notts County, but this is an instance in which both clubs are united to remember someone who was genuine, hard-working and warm-hearted.

"I know Matt would have been really touched by the outpouring of love from the football community and we thank Notts County and their chairman Alan Hardy for remembering Matt with us in this way.

"As a family club, we were all devastated to learn of Matt's passing last year and his wife and family remain in our thoughts and prayers."

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