THE father of a footballer was killed in a crash on his way to watch his son play in a cup final last night.
Rob Evans died in a motorbike accident just yards from the Wessex Stadium minutes before the kick-off.
His son Josh took to the pitch for Chickerell United in the Dorset Premier League Cup final against Portland United, unaware of the tragic events unfolding outside.
He was later substituted at half-time as news of the tragedy reached team officials inside the stadium.
Discussions were held at the interval about abandoning the game but it went ahead after a plea by Josh to continue.
Chickerell United president Terry Hind spoke of how the events affected both the team and supporters at the game.
He said: “Josh has come up through the youth leagues into the first team and he’s a great guy.
“After I was told what had happened, I had to take Josh to one side during half-time.
“I told him that someone from his family would be here to see him soon and that his dad had been in a motorcycle accident.
“I said that it was not good but I didn’t feel I should be the one to tell him exactly what had happened.”
Mr Hind said everyone was ‘absolutely dumbfounded’ by the news. He added: “Obviously it’s a very sad situation and our sympathies go out to Josh and his family at this time.
“We did talk about stopping the game but I know Josh would have wanted us to go on with the game and play it through for him.”
Chickerell United manager Maurice Welch said: “All I know is that Josh’s family came to watch him play football and for it to end in suchtragedy is just terrible and our thoughts go out to all of them.
“It filtered through during the first half that his father had died but I said I did not want any of the other players knowing.
“We took Josh to one side at half-time and after he had spoken to his mum, he came into the dressing room and wanted to get changed, so I took all the others back out on to the pitch.
“Dorset Premier League officials then came over and kindly offered to call off the game but the last words Josh said to me was for us to go out and win it for him, so we decided to keep it going.
“When we told the other lads after the game why Josh had to go, some of them felt physically sick and it just puts it all into perspective really.”
Portland United manager and Wey Valley School and Sports College teacher Stuart Heath said: “Football comes second to what else has happened tonight.
“I taught Josh for five years and he is a fantastic lad and our thoughts are with him and his family at what is such a difficult time.”
Weymouth FC board member Shaun Hennessey, who was at the match, said police contacted the Wessex Stadium to ask that fans be informed that Granby Way was closed because of the accident while another officer was informing club officials. Mr Hennessey said: “We offer our sincerest condolences to Josh and his family. It was a good game of football that has been marred by this absolute tragedy.”
Both Mr Hind and Mr Hennessey said after-match celebrations were understandably kept ‘low-key’ out of respect to Josh and his family.
Weymouth police closed Granby Way at both ends for several hours last night while officers investigated the scene of the accident.
The alarm was raised at 7.45pm and five police cars, a police van and an ambulance arrived soon afterwards. Another motorcyclist also stopped at the scene and his yellow bike was left parked next to the kerb.
Officers sealed off Granby Way at the football club and Chafeys Lake roundabouts.
Senior investigating officer Nikki Burt said that the accident happened as the rider was heading towards the football club roundabout. She said that as far as police knew no other vehicles were involved and appealed for witnesses. She wanted to hear from anyone who saw the crash or the red and yellow motorcycles before the crash.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 01305 222222.
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