THE mother of a former Chelsea youth player has said a memorial tournament this weekend will help her cope with the anniversary of his death.

Louise Bates has organised an adult six-a-side football event at Didcot Town Football Club tomorrow in memory of her son Jordan Tabor.

The 23-year-old, who lived in Headington died after he fell from the balcony of his hotel room in Antalya, Turkey, on July 23 last year.

Almost a year on, Mrs Bates and her husband, Matt, Jordan’s stepfather, will watch as his friends take part in the memorial tournament.

A special match has also been arranged between Kennington under-nines and under-seven which will feature Jordan’s two younger brothers Charlie, seven, and Finlay, eight.

Mrs Bates, 43, said: “Even last year people were saying it would be good to do a memorial event of some sort.

“I did think we could just do it [the anniversary] quietly and have a drink and take a lot of reflection.

“Doing that would have been easier but it will be nice to be surrounded by all of Jordan’s friends, even though I find it hard .”

Mr Tabor, who worked for Secondsite Recruitment in Abingdon at the time of his death, played for Chelsea’s youth team between 2005-09.

He also played for Didcot Town and Kidlington FC and was holidaying with his girlfriend Danielle McEachran, sister of former Chelsea midfielder Josh, and other friends.

Mrs Bates said: “Jordan loved his football, he played a lot of six-a-side and tournaments. Every night of the week he was out playing.

“It is almost tougher now than it was a year ago. At the time you are in a bit of a bubble and it does not seem real.

“Organising the tournament keeps me busy but the anniversary is the ‘last first’ in the grieving process.

“It has been a tough 12 months. There was my first Mother’s Day without him and the boys’ first birthdays without him. This has made it easier but there is that knot in my heart that the anniversary is approaching.”

The tournament will kick off at midday and there will also be a range of children’s activities such as bouncy castles, penalty shootouts, zorbing and visits from TV characters such as Peppa Pig.

All proceeds will go to Oxford hospice Helen and Douglas House, where the daughter of a neighbour of Mrs Bates, who lives in East Hendred, is receiving respite care.

The event is open to anyone and is free, with a donation to the charity suggested.

Mrs Bates said: “You feel like he is still here. He is still talked about and he is really missed by a lot of people.”

People can donate at justgiving.com/JordanTabor