TOGETHER IN TRAGEDY OF THIAGO

A FUNDRAISING page has been launched for the funeral of Thiago Goncalves, who was tragically killed in a traffic collision on his way to play for St Panteleimon.

The popular Saints midfielder was involved in an accident on the A40 close to his home shortly after leaving for their Middlesex FA Premier Cup tie against Cockfosters Reserves on Tuesday evening.

The 32-year-old called manager George Franceskou to say he would be late, but in the second half Franceskou received another call from a former St Panteleimon player telling him of the news. The game was stopped and then abandoned.

The club is raising money to support his widow Thayna, who is alone in the UK and doesn’t know many people. Over £20,000 has already been raised to send Goncalves back to his family in Brazil.

“For all you who was lucky enough to have met Thiago would all agree he was a lovely, kind man that didn’t deserve this tragic accident to take his life at such a young age,” the fundraising page read. “We are reaching out for help from family and friends to help raise funds to send Thiago back to he’s family in Brazil, as this is he’s wife and family wishes.”

The club tweeted: “May God rest his soul. Our deepest sympathies to his family and his loved ones.

“He was our brother, our son. We have lost a family member.”

St Panteleimon’s Spartan South Midlands Division One against Winslow United yesterday was postponed to allow some time for reflection.