Tributes after football star found dead in car
TRIBUTES have been paid to a former professional footballer from Runcorn after he was found dead in a car on Wigg Island.
A Cheshire police spokesman said officers were called to the beauty spot at 12.23am last Wednesday, February 28, to reports of someone unconscious inside a vehicle.
Kieron Durkan, 44, was pronounced dead at the scene and his death is not being treated as suspicious.
Mr Durkan has been warmly remembered as one of the best football players to come from the town.
In January 1995, he grabbed the opening goal for Wrexham AFC against Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford in a tie that ended with a five-two win for the Premier League giants.
The midfielder had already helped to put Wrexham through in the previous round by scoring a screamer against Ipswich in a two-one win at Wrexham’s home ground The Racecourse.
Mr Durkan, affectionately known as ‘Kizza’ at Wrexham, also played for Stockport County, Macclesfield Town, York, Rochdale and Swansea City as well as non-league teams Caernarfon Town, Runcorn FC Halton, Leek Town and Cefn Druids.
According to Soccerbase.com the midfielder made 269 appearances during his league career scoring 29 goals.
Cheshire police said Mr Durkan also served as a PCSO in Widnes between 2004 and 2007.
A spokesman for Runcorn Linnets, the club that succeeded Runcorn FC Halton, said: “The club are saddened to hear the news of the passing away of Kieron Durkan, 44, undoubtedly one of the finest football players to ever come from our town.
“Kieron represented a number of league clubs including Stockport County, Macclesfield Town, Wrexham and Swansea City, as well as ● making appearances for Republic Of Ireland under-21s. Kieron amassed over 250 football league appearances before a short spell at his hometown club Runcorn FC. As well as his incredible talent he will be remembered for an infectious smile, and the thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and friends at this very sad time.”
Mickey Thomas, former Wrexham, Man Utd and Wales winger, said: “It is a real tragedy.
“I remember him as a young lad coming up through the ranks and of course there was that goal against Man Utd. He was a really nice lad and his family will be devastated.
“My thoughts are with them.”
Pete Jones, chairman of the Wrexham Supporters Trust who run Wrexham AFC, said: “It is extremely sad news to hear.
“His name will always live on in Wrexham with those special goals: that one that put Ipswich out of the FA Cup and the goal that put Wrexham 1-0 up against Man Utd.
“He’s never been far from Wrexham fans’ hearts.”
It has been confirmed that Mr Durkan had spoken with police in 1997 as part of a probe into serial predatory paedophile Barry Bennell.
The Daily Mail said the deceased had spent a spell as a youth player at Bennell’s club Crewe Alexandra.
A Cheshire Constabulary spokesman said Mr Durkan said he had not been abused.
He said: “Kieron was spoken to in 1997 as part of the original investigation into non-recent sexual abuse by Barry Bennell. He made a statement to police as part of their enquiries in which he stated that he was not a victim of Bennell.”