FAMILY PRIDE AT CLUB’S 10-YEAR TRIBUTE TO SON
THE family of former Hartlepool United player Michael Maidens have spoken of their pride as they prepare to return to Victoria Park on Saturday 10 years after his death in a car accident. The midfielder was just 20 when he was the passenger in a car driven by a friend which lost control and collided with a metal post near Lazenby, North Yorkshire. His parents, Doug and Heather, will be guests of the club for this weekend’s match against Sutton, when tributes will be paid to their son. Maidens appeared 31 times for Hartlepool in League One and his solitary goal — a 25-yard wonder strike when he was 18 — won Goal of the Season in 2006. His mum and dad have spoken to Sportsmail on the anniversary of his death and the full interview can be read on MailOnline. They say that Saturday will not be an easy day, but they take pride in their son’s legacy. ‘It’s nice, the club have been brilliant with us, but sometimes watching the young lads play, it takes you back,’ said Heather. ‘You can still imagine him there, especially if there is someone with the same haircut, little things like that. They’re in the same strip, it’s so easy to get carried away and think of what might have been. ‘But we’re proud of what he achieved. ‘We’re lucky to have so many memories and so many people who care.’ Maidens is best remembered for his goal against Huddersfield when he picked the ball up 30 yards out and hit a shot that bent inside the far post. ‘We were standing right behind it,’ said Doug. ‘It started out towards the corner flag but my, it bent some. There had been a guy earlier behind us saying, “Bloody Maidens”. ‘I turned around and said, “Was that all right for you, pal?” Poor lad, his legs went to jelly when he scored, he told us later. He didn’t know what to do. ‘He won Goal of the Season and collected the prize from Jeff Stelling at the awards night — he was terrified. But he was a good lad. Laid back. Nothing bothered him. I remember I got angry about the squad numbers. He was No 25. He said, “Dad, it’s just a number, I’m still going to get there”. And he did.’ There is a Maidens Lounge at Victoria Park and supporters still applaud in the 25th minute of the match closest to his passing. There was a tribute to Michael written by a young Hartlepool fan shortly after his death. Doug has read it once. He has tried several times since, but can only get so far. It finishes with the words, ‘his brief life was not wasted’. ‘That makes you proud,’ his mum and dad agree. ‘We’re lucky that we have these nice memories. We’re lucky that he was our son.’