Dad Martin Wilson died in crash three days before birth of son

A STOKE CITY fan killed in a car crash died just three days before the birth of his second child.

Martin Wilson, of Blurton, never got the chance to see his son, Kaydan.

The family's anguish was revealed to hundreds of mourners at Martin's funeral yesterday.

Family and friends also heard how Martin's daughter Maddie-Mai celebrated her first birthday the day after her dad died.

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Some mourners at Carmountside Crematorium wore Stoke City shirts in memory of Martin, who was referred to as Wilson or Wils

Leading the service, humanist celebrant Donna Lear said: "When he became a father to little Maddie-Mai, Wils was the proudest man in Stoke-on-Trent and he absolutely doted on her. "Come rain or shine he would find a way to be with his little girl, she was the light of his life.

"Tragically, Wilson never got to meet his second child, Kaydan, who was born just a few weeks ago.

"But there is no doubt he would have loved him in equal measure." Martin, aged 26, of Beaconsfield Drive, died alongside fellow Potters' fan James Morgan, of Hawksmoor Close, Lightwood, after the car they were in ended up in a garden in Lightwood Road, Lightwood, on November 18.

Separate funerals for both men were held yesterday. Ms Lear added: "Wils was the most loyal and supportive bloke you could ever hope to meet.

"Nothing was too much trouble for his family and friends.

"He wasn't perfect, but whatever course he took in life, Wilson's heart was always in the right place.

"He was definitely a 'man's man' and while he might not have been the settling-down type – it was always his old schoolfriend Emma Hawkes who Wils came back to, he really did think the world of her."

Friends spoke of their sadness that Martin will never see his new born son. Adele Forbes-Thomas said: "To think the baby boy will never know his daddy is tragic."

Jen Bailey added: "He is such a beautiful boy and it's so sad that his daddy will never get to meet him. Life is so cruel at times."

Mourners were reminded of the time Martin attacked QPR goalkeeper Simon Royce on the Britannia Stadium pitch in 2005, for which he was jailed for five months.

Ms Lear also read out a poem from Martin's mum Hayley. It read: "It broke my heart to lose you, but you didn't go alone, for part of me went with you, the day God took you home."

Terriann Harrington, aged 26, from Bentilee, has been bailed in connection with the crash.