Derby tribute to tragic footballer
AMINUTE’S applause took place during a derby clash between Wrexham AFC and Chester in memory of a Runcorn footballer and former Widnes PCSO who was found dead last week.
Players also wore black armbands to honour Wrexham’s former player Kieron Durkan for the match at the Dragons’ home ground The Racecourse.
In a nod to one of their ex-midfielder’s career highlights, the minute’s applause took place during the ninth minute – the same minute during which Mr Durkan had scored in the FA Cup against Manchester United in 1995. Wrexham had posted a request online for fans to take part in the tribute ahead of the game and said relatives of the deceased would be in attendance.
A statement on the team’s website said Mr Durkan ‘ would be forever remembered by us at Wrexham AFC for his fruitful time at the club and particularly his courageous goals against Ipswich and Manchester United’.
The clash against Chester on Sunday ended two-nil to the home side.
Mr Durkan played 50 games for Wrexham between 1992 and 1996, bagging four goals for the club, during a career that included spells at Stockport County, Macclesfield Town, York, Rochdale and Swansea City and nonleague sides including Runcorn FC Halton.
Following his life as a footballer he had also worked as a police community support officer in Widnes, from 2004 to 2007.
His body was found on Wednesday, February 28, after police were called to Wigg Island nature reserve in Runcorn to reports of an unconscious male in a car.
Mr Durkan was pronounced dead at the scene.
A file is being prepared for the coroner.
It emerged following his death that Mr Durkan had spoken with police in 1997 as part of an investigation into non-recent sexual offences committed by serial predatory paedophile Barry Bennell, and had told officers that he had not been abused. ●