FOOTBALL-MAD Joe Lister is to be remembered by his favourite team, Manchester United.

A memorial to 14-year-old Joe, who died on a school caving trip, will be going in the match programme for United's game against Portsmouth at Old Trafford on December 3.

Tadcaster Grammar School pupil Joe died on the first day of an annual trip at a cave in Nidderdale in North Yorkshire, when it is believed he became trapped by rising water during an introduction to caving.

The Evening Press yesterday carried an exclusive interview with schoolmate Amy Ryder, 14, who was the last person to see Joe alive, and was the last member of the party to get out of Manchester Hole alive.

Joe was one of a party of 11, which was part of a group of about 100 students from Tadcaster Grammar School embarking on the first day of a week-long residential visit to Bewerley Park at Pateley Bridge.

Joe's head teacher, Geoff Mitchell, said a group of Joe's friends told him Joe was a fanatical Manchest-er United fan and the club had agreed to mention Joe in their programme.

"This was a young lad whom I knew very well. The whole school has been trying hard to mop up the grief of staff and students since this tragic incident occurred, and we have also been speaking to Joe's family," said Mr Mitchell.

"I understand from some of his friends that Joe was a Manchester United supporter and I have confirmed with the club that they have agreed to put Joe in their programme."

Yesterday morning the school held a special assembly for pupils in Joe's year group, Year 10.

They were told that after Joe's funeral has taken place the school would be holding its own service in which Joe's parents, Martin and Paula Lister, of Steeton, near Tadcaster, have indicated they would like to be involved.

Following the service, the school will then decide on a lasting memorial to Joe.

Mr Mitchell said: "There will be a permanent reminder of that boy in this school to be decided on after the school service as a celebration of the huge amount he has done for the school."

A room has been set aside at the school with a book of condolences, which opened today for three weeks so staff and pupils can put thought into what they would like to say. At the end of that time, the book will be presented to Joe's parents. The room has been decorated with stories and poems written by Joe's fellow pupils.

Mr Mitchell also said that since Joe's death he had received 120 letters from parents offering their support and encouraging him not to change the policy on school trips.

North Yorkshire Police spokesman Tony Lidgate said a post mortem examination had been carried out, but this was inconclusive. "We are now awaiting the results of toxicology and other tests to establish the cause of death."

Black armbands will be worn by all members of the York City Centre of Excellence this weekend in memory of former player Joe Lister. The keen sportsman had aspirations of playing football professionally, and was a member of the City youth set-up and Tadcaster Albion Under-16s.

Updated: 09:55 Friday, November 18, 2005