The untimely death of Joe Lister cast a shadow over schools' football last week as shocked former team-mates and coaches paid tribute to the talented sportsman in the best way they knew - by playing the sport he loved.

Games and tournaments fell silent across the city from the Excel Sport Cup to the under-13, U14 and U15 schoolboy fixtures and the York City Centre of Excellence wore black armbands.

York U11 schoolboys' coach Ian Hutchinson said: "As a right-sided midfielder, Joe possessed many attributes which enabled him to perform at a high level.

"Tall, strong, quick and a fantastic striker of the ball, Joe collected several important goals in his year with the schoolboys.

"His commitment and desire was exemplary and he was highly thought of by his fellow team-mates and coach.

"Our thoughts are with Joe's family while the memories of his involvement in the U11 schoolboy side of 2001/02 will live on forever."

The U15s match against Grimsby went ahead on the wishes of five of Joe's Tadcaster Grammar School friends and PE teacher and co-manager Paul Walker, after a minute's silence that saw the York side with arms linked in the centre circle prior to kick-off.

A fine footballing performance should have seen York ahead after 15 minutes when Daniel Coult's shot beat the goalkeeper but went the wrong side of the bar and wave after wave of attacks could have seen the York side two clear.

But a quick throw-out by the Grimsby 'keeper sparked a counter-attack that left their winger charging at the York defence before unleashing a shot into the far corner against the run of play.

York raised their game in the second half and Tadcaster's Tom Wilson struck an exquisite left-footed curler from a free-kick 25 yards out to level the game.

A fast and furious ending saw solid defending by man of the match Andy Green, and cohorts Matt Tasker of All Saints and Tadcaster duo Sam Harford and Chris Green, restrict Grimsby to long-range effort that were comfortably dealt with by 'keeper Lewis Graham, also of Tadcaster. A ball in from Wilson was flashed just wide by Jack Crowley of Tadcaster at the other end.

The next match for the U15s is at home to Doncaster in the league on December 3. Players will be contacted.

Meanwhile, Staveley defied their tiny school status to win the Excel Sports Cup, played in memory of Joe.

Five primary schools were due to contest the cup following Excel coaching sessions but Appleton Roebuck withdrew following the death of their former pupil.

Staveley, from near Boroughbridge, won the small-sided league tournament unbeaten with two wins and a draw, despite only having 50 pupils at the school.

Headlands finished in second place, St Mary's were third and St George's fourth.

Organiser Alex Hepton said: "We had a minute's silence and I explained why Appleton Roebuck weren't there and then asked that it be played in a nice spirit.

"It was a superb atmosphere and was just played for the sake of football."

A tournament to be held during next summer for the leaving Year 6s in memory of Joe is now in the pipeline.

Updated: 11:10 Wednesday, November 23, 2005