Tributes paid to ‘best mate’
THE manager of Liversedge FC has paid tribute to his ‘best mate’ and former right-hand man Simon Emery, who died suddenly last week.
Simon, 46, died in the early hours of Friday morning after experiencing sudden pains in his chest.
He had been involved with Liversedge FC for the past six years having joined alongside the club’s current manager Jonathan Rimmington.
And following news of his sudden death, the club took to social media to pay tribute to Simon.
A message posted to Liversedge FC’s Twitter page read: “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart to announce this sad news.
“Our dear friend and colleague of many years at Liversedge FC, Simon Emery, has sadly passed away during the early hours of this morning (November 27).
“Simon has devoted huge amounts of time and his love for football and coaching to the club and will be greatly missed.
“Our condolences and thoughts go out to Jeanette, Jordan, Tyler and the whole family at this sad time.
“With love from management, players, committee, staff and volunteers at Liversedge Football Club.”
The club’s manager, Jonathan Rimmington, met Simon almost 20 years ago when their sons played junior football for the same team.
He said Simon was ‘such a nice man’ who would ‘do anything for anybody.’
“It’s been a whirlwind of a weekend, it’s devastating,” said Jonathan.
“We were best mates, I spoke to him everyday. He never, ever said a bad word about anybody. We met up two or three times a week at training or at the pub.
“Simon was such a nice person, he’d do anything for anybody.”
Jonathan appointed Simon as his assistant manager when the pair took charge of the club six years ago.
And despite Simon taking a step back over recent years due to his work commitments, Jonathan described him as his ‘confidant’ who was ‘always around.’
He said: “Simon was at every game, every training session.
“He’d talk to players in little spells and was really, really good at giving out little bits of information and advice.
“I was at a game recently scouting and all the way through the second half I spoke to him about some of the players I was watching. That’s what I’m going to miss.”
Jonathan added: “We’re a social team, our team spirit is unbelievable and Simon contributed to that.
“Liversedge is like a family, it’s a unique football club – he meant so much to everyone.”
Following Simon’s death, the club have appealed for all Premier Division sides in the Toolstation Northern
Counties East Football League to donate one of their shirts with ‘EMERY 2’ printed on the back, which will be placed on Simon’s coffin when he is buried.
A date for Simon’s funeral, which will take place in Wakefield, is yet to be set.