Former Norwich stars to play in charity football tourament

Joe Dix, 18, was fatally stabbed in Vale Green, Mile Cross, in January 2022 by Hans Beeharry, Benjamin Gil and Cameron Palmer, who were each found guilty of murder.

Cameron Palmer, Hans Beeharry and Benjamin Gil (Image: Norfolk Police)Joe's parents Emma and Phil Dix have since launched the Joe Dix Foundation which aims to use Joe's story to raise awareness of the dangers of the exploitation of young people by criminals, knife crime and gang culture in the UK.

Emma Dix (Image: Submitted by family of Joe Dix)The charity is working alongside Norwich City Football Club and the emergency services to put on a memorial football tournament hosted by Wroxham Football Club.

Wroxham Football Club (Image: Newsquest)The event will see a Norwich all-stars team - set to include the likes of Grant Holt and Wes Hoolahan - competing against teams from the emergency services and a from Joe's friends at Wroxham's ground in Skinners Lane on Monday, May 6.

Joe Dix (Image: Submitted from family of Joe Dix)Phil said the tournament was the brainchild of Joe Duffy, a Norwich City Under 21's player, who "wanted to do something" in memory of Joe.

Joe Dix playing football in his younger years (Image: Submitted by family of Joe Dix)It is hoped the tournament will help the charity raise some of the £30,000 it wants to put towards a mobile exhibition vehicle with displays inside as well as screens and TVs.

Phil said this would enable the organisation to travel around to schools and other community venues to deliver the important messages.

A young Joe Dix (Image: Submitted by family of Joe Dix)

It is the latest in a string of events by the fledgling charity which earlier this year won the backing of TV and movie star Idris Elba, himself a prominent anti-knife crime campaigner, at a national knife crime initiative in London.

Idris Elba (inset) with Phil and Emma Dix and Joe Dix (inset) (Image: Supplied by family of Joe Dix)Phil and Emma said the star "looked genuinely shocked for us when he heard Joe's story" adding that "he would try and support the foundation in any way he can".

In October last year Beeharry, then 20, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years and Gil and Palmer, both then 19, were given 21-year jail terms after they were found guilty of murdering Mr Dix.

Vale Green sealed off after Joe Dix had been stabbed to death (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)The memorial tournament event takes place at Wroxham Football Club between 1pm and 5pm on Monday, May 6.

Log onto www.joedixfoundation.co.uk for more information.