AFC Saints pays special tribute Chesterton footballer Liam Wood's memory
THE teammates of a 13-year-old footballer who died after collapsing during a match are wearing a new strip in their friend's memory.
Liam Wood of Rowley Avenue, Chesterton, suffered from a rare undiagnosed heart abnormality and died hours after scoring a goal for his Sunday league team in January.
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HONOUR: Julie Bostock, with AFC Saints in their new kit featuring a tribute to her son, former player Liam Wood. Picture: Malcolm Hart
And yesterday, the AFC Saints under-15s team wore a new strip in Liam's honour as they played their second match of the season.
Liam's mum, Julie Bostock, was at the playing fields off Cotswold Avenue, in Knutton, to see the unveiling of the new kit which has her son's nickname – Woody – underneath the team's badge.
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The 47-year-old, of Rowley Avenue, said: "I just feel so overwhelmed by everything the boys have done for Liam.
"There are no words to really express how I feel but it gives me comfort to see his memory living on.
"It's not easy for them or me to be here, and it still feels like a dream that I might wake up from."
Julie also received a shirt with Liam's number 11 on the back to give to his sister Claire.
The team took the decision to retire Liam's number as a mark of respect when they had the new kit made. The new shirt also carries the logo of national charity CRY, which raises awareness of cardiac screening in young people.
All Saints manager Mark Lawton, of Sophia Way, Bradwell, said: "The majority of the lads didn't just play football with Liam, they grew up with him and went through school with him.
"We're always talking about Liam, pictured, and this keeps him on the pitch with them."
The team are now raising awareness of CRY and cardiac screening.
Mark added: "It's tough for us and always will be, but it's harder to do nothing than it is to do something."
Several teammates have undergone cardiac screening following Liam's death. The other boys will be screened when they turn 14.
George Champ, aged 14, of May Bank, who went to St John Fisher Catholic College, in Newcastle, with Liam, said: "It feels amazing to be representing Liam in this way. It keeps him close to our hearts. We still feel his absence and always will."
Nicolla Trotter, aged 31, of Porthill, tried to resuscitate Liam after seeing him collapse.
She said: "It was an awful day and truly devastating for everyone, especially the boys. I don't think they'll ever forget it.
"But this is a positive step to keep Liam part of the team."
To pay your respects to Liam, email tributes@thesentinel.co.uk.
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