The group raised concern about the high male suicide rate

Mark Thow, Ivor Robertson and Richard Burnside were all fathers in their 40s who played for the same amateur side.

But in separate incidents, the men - who were all from the Highlands - hanged themselves earlier this year.

Their families said raising awareness of suicide and researching common links between the deaths was vital.

Football match

The Highlands and Islands Support Group for Grieving Families was set up with the aim of helping those whose loved ones have taken their own lives.

In all, seven men have committed suicide in Inverness this summer.

The three footballers were remembered at a memorial match on Sunday in Inverness, where their former team-mates played Inverness Clach.

They joined the men's families in calling for more funding and research into suicide.

In May this year the support group called for fatal accident inquiry-style investigations into suicides in the Highlands.