‘I’ve lost a good player, and a great mate’: Tributes pour in for Sunday league footballer Sam Wilson, 26, who was killed when van ploughed into team at end of Christmas night …
- Sam Wilson, 26, was killed when a van ploughed into his team on a night out
- The AFC Curzon player was killed in the centre of Ilkeston, Derbyshire
- Derbyshire police have since arrested the driver on suspicion of murder
By Andy Dolan[1] and Perkin Amalaraj[2]
Published: 13:40, 17 December 2023 | Updated: 19:12, 17 December 2023
Teammates have paid heartfelt tributes to a Sunday league footballer who was killed when a van ploughed through the team at the end of a Christmas[3] night out.
The man, named locally as Sam Wilson, 26, had just left a pub at around 2am with his teammates at AFC Curzon when some of the group were struck moments later.
A 27-year-old man, believed to be the driver of the van, was arrested on suspicion of murder[4] following the collision in the centre of Ilkeston, Derbyshire, early on Saturday.
Curzon AFC coach Wayne Riley said: ‘It’s taken me all day to process what happened in the early hours of this morning.
‘But it’s with a broken heart that I am writing this.
‘I first met Sam at Long Eaton Utd and I knew when I first saw him play that he was good.
A Sunday league footballer, named locally as Sam Wilson (pictured) was run over and killed when a van ploughed into some of the team at the end of their Christmas night out
A source told the Mail the teammates from AFC Curzon in Long Eaton had originally been due to go to Nottingham for their night out – but switched to nearby Ilkeston because they thought the city would be too busy.
Pictured: Sam Wilson with girlfriend Lauren Colton
A police officer investigates the scene after a van hit a group of people in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, yesterday
‘Two days after he turned 16 he made his debut for me in Long Eaton Utd Reserves and proved he was good enough to play at that level by scoring.
‘He always played with a smile on his face was never greedy always wanting to set others up instead of having a go himself.
‘I have lost a very good footballer, a great lad and a good mate.
‘Until I can be your football manager again Sam and we meet again on the heavenly pitch R.I.P you will be truly missed.’
He told the Mirror that Sam was ‘one of the most genuine, soft-natured men you would ever wish to meet’, adding:
‘He didn’t have a bad bone in his body and would do anything for anyone. He will be truly missed by his family, friends and all his teammates. RIP Sam till we meet again.’
Mr Riley’s wife, Carole, Curzon’s club secretary, told the Mail Mr Wilson was a ‘true gentleman’.
She said of the player, who worked in construction with his father: ‘I know people often say when somebody has died that they were such a good person, but that is genuinely true in Sam’s case.
He was sweet-natured and well-mannered and his death has shook everybody.
‘Not all of the team were out together, but many of the lads were there and saw what happened.’ She said two men left with non-life-threatening injuries were both teammates of Mr Wilson, one of whom was still ‘dazed’ by what happened.
His family said on a JustGiving page set up to raise money to cover funeral costs:
‘As many of you are aware, my brother Samuel, or Sam/ Willow to everybody else was tragically killed by a drunk driver in the early hours of Saturday morning.
‘Our hearts will forever be broken, and there are no words to describe to huge hole it has left in all of our hearts.’
The page has already raised GBP7,350, beating the target of GBP7,000.
Euro Soccer Long Eaton Sunday League said on Saturday: ‘The league would like to express our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and teammates of Sam Wilson of AFC Curzon.
‘Sam lost his life in an incident in Ilkeston last night.
‘Our thoughts are with him and those that he leaves behind.’
A source told the Mail the teammates from AFC Curzon in Long Eaton had originally been due to go to Nottingham[5] for their night out – but switched to nearby Ilkeston because they thought the city would be too busy.
AFC Curzon play in the Euro Soccer Long Eaton Sunday League. Mr Wilson’s death is the second tragedy to strike the league in fortnight.
One man, believed to be the driver of the van, was arrested on suspicion of murder following the collision in the centre of Ilkeston, Derbyshire, early on Saturday. Pictured: Mr Wilson in action for Curzon against Spanish Bar FC in a cup game last season
Mr Riley’s wife, Carole, Curzon’s club secretary, told the Mail Mr Wilson (pictured) was a ‘true gentleman’
Derbyshire Constabulary said emergency services were called to the Market Place in Ilkeston just before 2.10am on Saturday. Pictured: Debris from the incident
A man, believed to be the van’s driver, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in police custody. Pictured: Police at the scene yesterday
On December 1, AFC Sawley club captain Kial Thurman was killed when his van collided with a lorry and plunged into a river at Lower Loxley, near Uttoxeter, Staffordshire.
Derbyshire Police have not officially named Mr Wilson, who lived in Long Eaton, but said the victim suffered serious injuries and died at the scene.
The suspect remains in custody today. The force said officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
A van which is suspected as being involved in the incident was recovered from Stapleford, five miles away over the Nottinghamshire border, later on Saturday.
Police were continuing to patrol Market Place, where the collision occurred, to reassure the community.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Croome, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this distressing time.
They have asked for privacy and are currently being supported by family liaison officers.
‘We have a team of officers working on this investigation and I would like to thank the public for their patience and cooperation while the Market Place in Ilkeston has been closed.
DCI Croome added: ‘I would continue to urge any witnesses to the collision, and anyone in the area at the time, to contact us.’
References
- ^ Andy Dolan (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Perkin Amalaraj (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Christmas (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ was arrested on suspicion of murder (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Nottingham (www.dailymail.co.uk)