A FOOTBALL club has marked 10 years since the tragic death of a young player by opening a memorial garden in his name.

Pierre Bolangi, a 17-year-old youth team defender, drowned during pre-season training at a Hampshire Army base which had been hired out by the club on August 9 2000.

Two years after the accident a former Army staff sergeant was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence.

Now a garden at the club’s Sparrows Lane training ground has been built in a joint project between the Charlton Community Trust and young volunteers from the Prince’s Trust charity.

The garden’s centrepiece is a specially commissioned bronze bust of the player.

Charlton’s chief executive at the time of Pierre’s death, Peter Varney, said: “Now, thanks to the generosity of Charlton supporters, this fitting tribute of a memorial garden at the workplace he loved has become a reality on the tenth anniversary of his untimely passing.

“The garden ensures that Pierre will always be remembered - and with a smile.”

Club chaplain Matt Baker said: “Ten years on and the vast majority of those who knew Pierre have moved on. But their lives will have been touched in some way by his sad and premature death.

“I am, therefore, pleased that we have been able to institute this memorial garden at the training ground as a tribute to Pierre at a place which will be used by current and future players plus staff.”