Testimonial Match To Be Played In Memory of Victim of Stoke Park Stabbing

Published on: 9 Mar, 2026
Updated on: 9 Mar, 2026

Luis Guembes

By Martin Giles

The tragic death of a 15-year old who loved football is to be marked by a testimonial match a celebration of his life and the launch of the Luis Gabriel Memorial Fund. Money raised will be used to raising awareness of knife crime.

Two teenage boys have been charged with Luis Gabriel’s murder and have been remanded in custody.

Luis Gabriel Memorial Fund – Testimonial Match

The match will be played at at Farnborough FC on Tuesday, April 14, held under the aegis of memorial fund, a newly established community fund dedicated to honouring his legacy and fighting knife crime.

Mark DeGiovanni, chair of the new fund, said: “Luis Gabriel Guembes Quimper was a bright, funny, and passionate 15-year-old and a boy who loved football.

“He was a young man who lit up every room he entered and every pitch he stepped onto.”

Described as a dedicated and enthusiastic footballer, Luis played most recently for Churt Football Club, having joined them at the start of this season.

Before that, he was a proud member of Mytchett Athletic Kestrels, a team that unfortunately folded last season.

His loss has been felt deeply by everyone who knew him — his teammates, his coaches, and his community. In his memory, former coaches have come together to reform Mytchett Athletic Kestrels for one special occasion, creating a match that those who knew him say “speaks to everything Luis loved about the game”.

The testimonial match will see Churt U16 Vipers take on a reformed Mytchett Athletic U16 Kestrels side — two clubs that shaped Luis as a footballer and as a person — in a fixture that promises to be both emotionally charged and a true celebration of his life.

The Luis Gabriel Memorial Fund

The Luis Gabriel Memorial Fund was formally established in February with a clear mission: to commemorate Luis’ life, raise awareness of the devastating impact of knife crime on families and communities, and provide financial support to charities and projects working in knife crime prevention and youth education.

The fund aims to leave memorial benches in Luis’ name at each of his clubs and his school, and to use football — the sport he loved — as a vehicle to engage at-risk young people in mentoring and crime prevention programmes.

Mark DeGiovanni added: “Luis loved football and he loved people. This match is our way of bringing those two things together to make sure his memory lives on and that his death is not in vain.

“We want something good to come from something that has affect so many.

“The local community is warmly invited to attend the match and show their support. All funds raised on the day will go directly towards the objectives of Luis Gabriel Memorial Fund.

“If you would like to find out more, make a donation, or cover the event, please get in touch using the email address: madgic@gmail.com.”