A MEMORIAL bench in tribute to a Barry teenager and talented Cardiff City youth footballer has been unveiled at the club’s academy training ground.

The three-metre long granite bench, with inscription, has been designed to remember Corey Price, who died in 2015 at the age of 17.

The youngster, who represented Cardiff City Academy over an eight year period from the age of nine, was involved in a tragic car accident on the A470 in which his friends Rhodri Miller, Alesha O’Connor, both 17, and Merthyr Tydfil grandmother Margaret Challis also died.

A memorial match at Cardiff City Stadium was held in June 2015, with proceeds going towards the Corey Price Memorial Bench.

The Corey Price memorial fund reached £14,000.

The bench was unveiled with Corey’s father Lee, Welsh footballers Craig Bellamy and Scott Young and Corey’s friends, team-mates and coaches in attendance.

The inscription reads: “Come sit with me a while and look at what we’ve found, with every glimpse of your smile friends and football all around, please my friend don’t be sad, please be happy for what I had. C.P – Aged 17.”

Corey’s dad, Lee Price said: “We are over the moon. We can’t thank Cardiff City enough. It shows how much the club thought of him with their ongoing support

“He liked modern and it’s designed with the little ones in mind so they can tie their shoelaces up without having to sit on the grass. When players have had a bad game they can remember Corey and realise life isn’t that bad.”

The Bluebirds invited Mr Price to remember Corey at the 2015 memorial match where Rhodri, Alesha and Margaret’s families were also involved.

Money raised has also funded Alesha’s bench at St David’s College, Cardiff, and one at Ysgol Bro Morgannwg, Barry in memory of former pupils Rhodri and Corey.

Money has also funded a halfway house at Brynhill Golf Club where Corey was a member and donations have been made to charity.

Mr Price thanked Anthony Redwood, James McCarthy, club and academy staff, Jeff White Motors, SMK, Joe Brookman, Lee Cunningham, Russell at Travis Perkins, Maes-y-coed, all the families and the Barry public for their support.