Two brothers who died within four days of each other from bowel cancer will be remembered at a 'battle of the sexes' fun football match.

Eastern Daily Press: John Brownley.John Brownley. (Image: Archant)

The fundraising game for Graham and John Brownley between Red Rose Ladies Football Club and men's Cawston Wanderers Football Club will kick off at 1.30pm today at Cawston Primary School playing field where both teams train.

Half the money raised will be donated to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, where the brothers were treated, and the rest will go towards new equipment for Cawston Wanderers.

Organiser and nephew of the brothers James Brownley, 26, from Guist Road, Foulsham, said: 'I want to give something back to the people who helped them. I think my uncles would be proud of what I'm doing.'

Graham, from Le Neve Road, Marsham, was diagnosed with cancer in about September last year and died on March 25 this year aged 66.

His brother John, 67, from Dereham, was diagnosed with the disease in about May last year and died on March 29.

Both brothers had grown up in Sheffield and had children and grandchildren and were part of a family of six boys.

Graham, a trained stonemason who ended up as a line setter for Bernard Matthews, moved from the north to Norfolk about 16 years ago.

His brother, a plumber who also worked for Bernard Matthews as well as being a care home chef, moved to Norfolk about 12 years ago.

Labourer James, who will be playing in the match for Cawston Wanderers, added: 'John never worried and was always calm. He said before his death he did not want anyone wearing black or tears at his funeral. If you got the two brothers talking they would not shut up.

'They were both happy and loved their children and grandchildren. My uncles loved living in Norfolk. They liked the peace and quiet.'

The match has been co-organised with Emily Hill, from Briston, and Sophie Tipper, from Melton Constable, who play for Red Rose Ladies.

He added: 'We [the Cawston Wanderers] will make sure we give the girls a good game. They are going to put a lot of effort in.'

He predicted the men's team would win 5-1.

James will play alongside his father Robert, from Guist Road, Foulsham, who was the younger brother of Graham and John

Gardener Robert, 53, who moved from Sheffield in 1994 will play in goal.

He said: 'I'm looking forward to the match. It is going to be sad but also happy because something is happening in their memory.'

As well as being family men, Graham and John loved fishing.

During his time in Norfolk, Graham took pictures of Foulsham Football Club matches where James played as a teenager.

Before the match starts about £400 worth of prizes will be given away in a raffle and a Norwich City Football away shirt signed by the current team will be auctioned off.

The shirt was donated by former EDP senior content editor Paul Durrant, who has connections with the Brownley family.

Donations can be made by texting GRAH49 and the amount to 70070.

Search Graham Brownley and John Brownley Cancer Awareness Group on Facebook.

Are you putting on a sporting fundraiser? Email sophie.wyllie@archant.co.uk