‘Cherish children. Tell them you love them deeply’
HEARTBROKEN DAD’S TRIBUTE TO SON WHO DIED ON ‘LADS’ HOLIDAY’
A HEARTBROKEN father’s open letter after the death of his son on a ‘lads’ holiday’ in Spain urges all parents to ‘cherish their children.’
Talented footballer Michael Jones, 21, is understood to have fallen over railings at an apartment block in Benidorm.
As a young footballer he was on the academy books of both Manchester United and Manchester City and went on to play semi-professionally and at a high amateur level.
The tragedy happened at around 11pm on July 4 at the Apartamentos Vina Del Mar hotel, just outside central Benidorm.
Michael’s father Paul Jones, 50, wrote a moving Facebook post announcing his son’s death which he gave the M.E.N. permission to republish. He said the family were ‘broken’ over Michael’s passing and revealed the friends he was with on holiday all returned home immediately afterwards.
In the post, he said: “Michael Jones R.I.P 16/10/96 - 04/07/18 Aged 21.
“Forgive me this statement but I need people to know, its time to tell you all. I ask that those of you who see this and that were close to ‘Mike’ share this so that it reaches all of the rest of his friends.
“On the 16th October 1996 I was given the first of two gifts, gifts of life, Michael my eldest son was born at Bolton Hospital. Earlier this week my beautiful baby boy died whilst on a ‘lads holiday’ in Benidorm, he died alone from injuries sustained from a horrific accident that no one could have foreseen, understand that there is no blame to lay at anybody’s feet.”
He added: “Cherish your children, tell them that you love them deeply, you never know if and when they will be taken from you.”
Paul and his family have flown out to Spain to organise his repatriation and speak with the authorities.
The former Little Lever High School pupil had been playing in the first team at Bolton-based Little Lever Sports Club in the Lancashire Amateur League.
A match between the club and Walshaw Sports Club has been scheduled for this Saturday at Little Lever’s Mytham Road ground and a GoFundMe campaign to help the family has also been launched.
Michael leaves parents Paul and Kath, step-mum Janet, brothers Joseph and Robert and two sisters, Elisabeth and Sarah.
Funeral or repatriation details haven’t yet been announced.