Ugo’s last act of kindness
Tributes to tragic footballer who gave homeless girl £10 and said that it ‘felt good’
TRAGIC Ugo Ehiogu sent one final moving tweet that captured perfectly the compassion of one of the nicest men in football.
The former England defender, who died after suffering a cardiac arrest at the age of just 44, posted a simple message on March 29 about a chance meeting in east London.
It read: “Gave a homeless girl £10 last night. She didn’t ask or beg. Random impulsive act from me. Not gonna lie. Felt good.”
That tweet went viral yesterday after the news broke that the former Rangers and Aston Villa player had passed away hours after collapsing while coaching Tottenham’s under-23s at the club’s training ground.
The footballing world was united in its grief over the death of the popular Ehiogu, who was capped four times by his country.
In a statement posted on Rangers’ website yesterday, a club spokesman said: “Rangers Football Club are shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of former defender Ugo Ehiogu.
“The 44-year-old Englishman joined the Light Blues when Walter Smith returned as manager in 2007 and made a huge impact in his short time in Glasgow – notably his winning goal at Celtic Park in the derby.
“The club send their sincere condolences to Ugo’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Paul Merson, 49, a fellow ex-England international, broke down in tears on Sky Sports News as he remembered his old Villa team-mate.
He said: “Billy Joel sings that song, Only the Good Die Young and that is him. He was a top player, a top bloke and a good friend as well.”
Another Villa legend, Stan Collymore, said: “Sadness doesn’t cover how I, and I’m sure everyone who knew Ugo, feel. He was the first person to come and
Ugo Ehiogu made a huge impact during his time in Glasgow RANGERS FC
say hello at Villa, to welcome me to the club I supported as a kid.
“I was nervous, he knew it, and rather than be the alpha male that many of us players can be, he showed me around.
“Going to Villa was my dream, so for him to see that and just offer calm, cool friendship is something I will never forget.”
Collymore, 46, added: “Ugo was just cooler than cool at the back with a big smile but always up for fun and laugh.
“The thing that struck you about him was his size, a true man mountain but someone who never used his size or stature to intimidate.
“He was always calming, the one who eased tensions between big names.
“He was a man who commanded respect not by what he said but very much by what he did.”
Collymore said Ehiogu had “found his niche” coaching young players at Premier League Tottenham.
John McDermott, Spurs’ head of
coaching and development, said: “Words cannot express the shock and sadness that we all feel. Ugo’s immense presence will be irreplaceable.”
Manager Mauricio Pochettino described Ehiogu as a “lovely man” – and chairman Daniel Levy said his death was a “tragic loss”.
Spurs delayed breaking the news so that Ehiogu’s wife Gemma could collect their son Obi Jackson from school.
He also had a daughter, Jodie, who is a student living in Birmingham.
London-born Ehiogu began his career at West Bromwich Albion and was snapped up by Villa boss Ron Atkinson in 1991.
He made more than 300 appearances for the club between 1991 and 2000 and spent seven years at Middlesbrough.
The centre-back also played for Leeds, Rangers and Sheffield United before retiring in 2009.
He won the League Cup with Villa in 1996 and with Middlesbrough in 2004. Villa said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ugo. Our thoughts are with his family.”
The club will hold a minute’s applause before the match against Birmingham City tomorrow. Images of Ugo appeared on screens outside Villa Park yesterday and flowers were left by well-wishers.
Ex-Villa defender Paul McGrath said: “Devastated for Ugo, a great friend. Heart goes out to his family and friends.”
Another one-time team-mate Lee Hendrie added: “This is a shock, to think this could happen to a man of his fitness and age. It is devastating, crazy.
“He was such a good character and would help anyone. A gentle giant.”
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker tweeted: “So young, so sad, such a lovely guy.”
Rio Ferdinand described him as having a “calm and warming vibe” and Robbie Savage tweeted: “My heart goes out to Ugo’s family and those closest to him.”