SOCCER players across the UK are to pay tribute tomorrow to young Huddersfield star Huw Thatcher.
Clubs from many parts of the UK have been in touch with Huw’s club, Hepworth United, to express their sorrow at his tragic death at the age of just 15.
Huw, of Holmfirth, collapsed during a match against Brighouse Town Juniors last Sunday and died in hospital.
It was later discovered he had an undiagnosed brain aneurysm, which could have claimed his life at any time.
The tributes tomorrow are expected to be in the form of a minute’s silence.
Huw had played in the RCD Junior League in Huddersfield for many years and every team playing tomorrow is expected to observe the silence.
Hepworth official John Field revealed last night that many more clubs had been in touch.
“It is amazing the response there has been to this tragedy.
“Clubs and leagues from many parts of the country, including Wiltshire, Wales and Lancashire, have all contacted us to say they will be paying their own tributes”.
The news came as Huw’s grieving family released a brief statement thanking everyone for their messages of support, and revealed details of his funeral next week.
They want the service at Holmfirth Parish Church on Friday, March 25, to be a celebration of Huw’s life and have insisted that people do not wear black.
They want the youngsters who are expected to attend to wear soccer kits.
The boy’s parents, Nick and Jenny, released the following statement: “Overwhelmed is a word often over-used but in this case it is not.
“Huw’s family have been overwhelmed by the love surrounding them from Holmfirth and beyond.
“Every letter, card, message, thought and deed in Huw’s name and memory has helped. With love from Jenny, Nick, Huw and Carys”.
The funeral service at 1.30pm is to be followed by a private cremation but the family are planning to be at the Picturedrome in Holmfirth from 4pm onwards.
The same venue will also be open on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons so that friends and people wanting to pay tribute to Huw can leave messages of support and memorabilia.
A mass of floral tributes which have been left at Sands recreation ground, where Huw used to train, will also be taken to the Picturedrome.
And Town player Gary Roberts has joined the growing list of people paying tribute.
On the eve of the big game against Swindon Town, the winger said: “I’d like to send our sincere condolences to the friends and family of Huw Thatcher, the young Hepworth United player who tragically died of natural causes on the pitch last Sunday.
“For that to happen to an under 15 player is almost unfathomable and on behalf of the club, I’d like to say our thoughts are with you at this terrible time”.
