‘Fantastic send-off' for Accrington Stanley fan (From Lancashire Telegraph)

‘Fantastic send-off' for Accrington Stanley fan

3:36pm Sunday 5th September 2010 in

By Tom Moseley » Reporter

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ACCRINGTON Stanley fans paid an emotional tribute to ‘one of their own’ at yesterday’s match at the Crown Ground.

Antony Cox, who died last week, was remembered along with life vice-president Stan Spencer in a moving minute’s silence, led by the family of popular figure ‘Coxy’ before kick-off.

A corner of the Sophia Khan stand was converted into a memorial for Antony, who was killed on a railway line on Bank Holiday Monday.

Shirts, flowers and scarves were draped on the terrace, and his family stood in the centre-circle during the minute’s silence before the clash with Wycombe Wanderers.

Fans sang songs dedicated to Mr Cox, and after the game, manager John Coleman was among those who paid tribute as the lifelong fan’s relatives and friends gathered in the corner of the ground to examine the messages left by his friends.

The club’s former winger Rory Prendergast, one of Mr Cox’s favourites, also came to the game to pay his respects.

In his programme notes, Coleman wrote: “I am sure everyone will have their own stories about Coxy, but the amount of times he badgered me to sign Rory Prendergast back was unbelievable.

“It was akin to a child asking his dad for a puppy and I think he just fell short of promising to look after him!”

Stanley chief executive Rob Heys said: “There was a sadness that he was not there, but yesterday was about remembering the good times, which I am sure is how Antony would have wanted us to remember him.”

Reds fan and Lancashire Telegraph columnist Stephen Lowe said: “It was tremendously emotional and a really fantastic and fitting send-off to one of our own.

“John Coleman pointed to the sky when he came over to the fans.

“Football came second, and the football family came first.

"There will always be an empty seat for Antony on the coach.”

Police said the 33-year-old former Tinker and Budget landlord laid on the tracks near Church and Oswaldtwistle Station as a train approached.

The driver tried to stop but Mr Cox, of Oswaldtwistle, was struck.