Poignant tribute to James

James Hick’s parents, Michael and Louise, prepare to release balloons in memory of their son, with, left, Geoff Martin, secretary of Huddersfield Junior Bowling Association and manager of the Almondbury Liberal Club junior team us and it’s been overwhelming to be honest.”

He said no funeral arrangements could be made until the necessary formalities with the coroner’s office had been completed.

James’s grandad, Phillip Thompson, who lives in Netherton, said: “We were very close and we were both keen Town fans. We had been going to Leeds Road together since he was around five-years-old. He was a season ticket holder and never wanted to miss a game.

“He was a very popular boy and we were all touched by the vigil held recently by his school friends. We’re still waiting to find out precisely what happened. He was as fit as a fiddle and used to run everywhere and as well as the bowling he enjoyed rugby as well.”

Geoff Martin, secretary of Huddersfield Junior Bowling Association and manager of the Almondbury Liberal Club junior team, said: “It gave everyone the opportunity to talk about young James, how much he was liked, how good a bowler he was and how much he will be missed.”

The Liberal Club ran a raffle, a ‘bowl at bottle’ competition, and there were tasty treats on offer from the kitchen. Any profits will go towards The Justgiving Facebook page, set up in memory of James.