A FOOTBALL tournament organised in memory of a Wirral teenager who died when he was swept into the sea has raised more than £1,400 for the charity that tried to save him.

Sam Capper, from Birkenhead, died in August 2012 after he fell off rocks on the South Wales coast.

The 15-year-old fell into the water when a five-foot wave hit him in Llangennith, Swansea, where he had been on a family camping holiday with his brother Lewis.

The then 21-year-old dived into the sea in an attempt to save Sam – who was affectionately known as “Spud” to family and friends – but the pair had to be pulled from the water by lifeboat crews.

Paramedics treated the brothers but University Academy Birkenhead pupil Sam – who had hoped to pursue a career in accounting – was later pronounced dead at hospital.

“Sam was winched out of the water, half a mile out, by the RAF helicopter and taken to Morriston Hospital while Lewis was taken to the shore in an RNLI lifeboat and kept warm until the helicopter came back for him,” explained mum Leah Davin.

“The RNLI saved my family from a double tragedy.”

Since Sam’s death, his friends from Victoria Colts – where both he and Lewis played Sunday League football – have played Canada’s Global Satellite Soccer for what has been named the Sam Capper Memorial Trophy.

This year’s event took place at Cammell Lairds FC in Rock Ferry on Sunday, with a fundraiser also taking place after the games.

Leah – who described Sam as a “unique, amazing boy who touched the lives of so many people with his generosity, kindness and infectious laugh” – said: “Victoria Colts introduced the memorial trophy back in 2013.

“Year one raised £1,200 but year two was a tad disappointing which prompted me to get involved this year.”

Leah’s intervention helped make this year’s competition a success, with £1,401 raised for the RNLI.

She added: “We had raffle prizes galore which were kindly donated by friends, family and local businesses.

“We also had an auction with four lots – a signed Tranmere Rovers football, a signed Everton football, a signed Everton shirt and a signed copy of Jamie Carragher’s autobiography.”