COLCHESTER United players donned red t-shirts to support a charity’s annual memorial for a lifelong fan who lost his battle with cancer almost five years ago.

U’s players wore the tops during their warm up before their recent home game against Crewe as part of the Red for Robin campaign, set up to remember Robin Freeman who died after a battle with a rare form of germ cell cancer in 2011 aged 24.

Robin’s family set up the Robin Cancer Trust in his memory and ask people to wear red on the anniversary of his death.

Toby Freeman, Robin’s brother and CEO of the charity, said: “Some of my fondest memories growing up with Rob were watching Colchester United.

“Wearing the kits, scrambling for autographs and even being matchday mascots, our hometown club has always had a place in our hearts.

“Rob was a season ticket holder and we were supposed to be watching them with our family and friends on the day he died.

“Unfortunately we never made it and Rob passed away at half-time, so to see the players warm up in our charity t-shirts, so to see the players warm up in our charity t-shirts with a picture of Rob on the big screen was a special moment for us.”

This year, the trust has organised for iconic water tower Jumbo to be illuminated in red on Saturday in Robin’s memory and to mark five years since he died.

For more information visit robincancertrust.org.