A Legacy of Love and Football: Charity Match in Memory of Elijah

Elijah was a passionate and kind-hearted young man, whose life was tragically cut short on Father's Day this year (2024). This is the story of how his local community came together, to fill the void left by his passing, raising vital awareness for epilepsy and funds for Epilepsy Society's research.

David Barker, a close friend of Elijah and a player for Riverside, shared the significance of the match: “When we received the devastating news of Elijah’s passing, we knew we had to do something to honour his memory. Football was a huge part of his life, and he gave so much to the sport, especially through his work as a referee. We decided the best way to pay tribute to him was to hold a charity match, bringing together the community he loved so much.”

Elijah was more than just a referee; he was a beacon of enthusiasm and commitment in the football world in his local community. He officiated countless matches in the Solent Church League and across Hampshire, stepping up to referee during shortages and ensuring teams had the opportunity to play. “He refereed our last game of the season,” David recalled. “Little did we know it would be his final match in the Solent Church Football League. His passion for the game was infectious, and he had an incredible ability to bring people together through football.”

Elijah’s dedication to the sport was evident to everyone who knew him. He could spend hours discussing tactics, strategies, and his beloved Southampton Football Club. His love for football was not just about the game itself; it was about the camaraderie and shared passion that football inspired in others. "He would always find a way to chat with us about Southampton before and after games,” David said. “It was such a joy to see someone so young, so fully immersed in the sport.”

To honour Elijah’s memory and his love for football, Riverside Football Club collaborated with Hampshire Charity FC to organize the charity match. David was quick to express his gratitude to everyone who made the event possible. “I’d like to thank Nate Holland of Hampshire Charity for organizing their team, along with Tom Ridley and Cam Melling, who helped pull everything together. A special thanks to Nick and Samantha, Elijah’s parents, for their beautiful words in the program, and to Ben Mathews for securing the venue at Stoneham. Lastly, to all the players who took part, it was truly special to see everyone come together for Elijah.”

The event was a powerful tribute, made even more poignant by the words of Elijah’s parents before the game. “Hearing from Nick and Samantha was incredibly moving,” David shared. “They spoke so beautifully about Elijah, and it reminded all of us why we were there—not just to play football, but to celebrate his life and raise awareness for the Epilepsy Society.”

Elijah’s connection to the charity was deeply personal, as he had been living with epilepsy for much of his life. Diagnosed with Partial Focal Epilepsy at around 11 years old, Elijah’s seizures were mostly nocturnal and often occurred while he was sleeping. His family suspects that a tick bite may have triggered the condition, though the exact cause remains uncertain.

"Elijah was so resilient," Nick, Elijah’s father, recalled. "Despite his condition, he never let it hold him back. He was on medication, and we believed his seizures were under control. He had been cleared to drive and was living his life fully, even while managing his epilepsy. His mum had even walked the Peak District a few years ago to raise funds and awareness for epilepsy”.

In addition to his love for football, Elijah was studying Marine Biology at the University of Portsmouth. He was a busy and ambitious young man, with dreams of one day refereeing in the Premier League and at the World Cup. His hard work as a referee had already taken him to tournaments in Barcelona and Madrid, and he had officiated academy matches for both Southampton FC and Portsmouth FC. His dedication to the sport and his aspirations were clear to everyone who knew him.

The circumstances surrounding Elijah’s passing are still unclear. On Father’s Day, Elijah was expected to visit his family but never arrived. After raising the alarm, his family discovered that he had passed away in the early hours of the morning in his shared accommodation. “We initially thought he might have had a seizure and hit his head, but the post-mortem found no evidence of injuries,” David explained. "We are still waiting for more information, but it seems that epilepsy played a part in his death."

Since Elijah’s passing, the outpouring of support has been overwhelming. Tributes have come from Premier League referees, his peers in the local referee community, and even his university. Portsmouth FC honoured Elijah with a minute’s applause at Fratton Park before their match against Sunderland, and Southampton FC did the same in the 20th minute of their next home match against Manchester United and put a picture up on the scoreboard.

As the football community rallies to remember Elijah, his legacy continues through the charity match. “This event is about more than just football,” David said. “It’s about keeping Elijah’s memory alive and raising awareness for epilepsy. We hope to continue this charity game in his name for years to come, supporting the cause he cared about and bringing people together, just as he always did.”

If you would like to donate to Epilepsy Society in Elijah's memory, you can do so here: Tribute to Elijah Khaira (muchloved.com)