THERE will be no room for passengers when Swindon bus operators Stagecoach and Thamesdown Transport lock horns on the pitch in memory of colleague Colin Daley next month.

Drivers and garage staff will put on a uniform of a different kind at Grange Leisure on Sunday, March 8 when the second of the annual memorial matches takes place.

The 69-year-old from Westlea died in early 2014 at Prospect Hospice after an eight-year battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Colin was a passionate Manchester United supporter and, considering his notoriety among the two firms, it was decided a football match would be the most appropriate way to remember him.

In March last year a full 11-a-side contest was played out at St Joseph’s Catholic College, with Thamesdown winning 5-4 in a tense thriller.

2015 is likely to be a different proposition, however, with the teams down to nine-a-side and a slightly more honest approach to selection, according to one of Colin’s former colleagues.

“The trouble then was we had a lot of ringers in the team. We didn’t necessarily have the base of Thamesdown,” said Phil Manning, 36, of Lennox Drive.

“It will be drivers and garage staff only this time around, the company’s people rather than the outsiders.

“There’s going to be a little bit of a different side to it this year. Last time it was a bit of a crunch game between the two companies.

“It’s a little more relaxed this time.”

The Colin Daley Memorial Plaque was created for last year’s match. Unfortunately it went astray during a refurbishment at Thamesdown’s offices.

Phil is, however, keen to secure a replacement for this year’s clash.

He said it had not been difficult to round up enough players on either side for the match, such was Colin’s impression on the bus industry in Swindon.

“He was well known to everyone on both sides. Not so much the drivers now, but from the old days,” said Phil.

“Everybody knew him, knew who he was and how he liked his football.”

There will be a collection for Prospect Hospice on the day itself and Phil has said Thamesdown managing director Paul Jenkins will match the donations made in entrance fees by the players.

The match kicks off at 2.15pm.