Hundreds to gather for funeral of John, 26
Huge farewell for footballer
The funeral of a young Wishaw man who died last week will take place on Friday.
Hundreds of family and friends will attend Cambusnethan Talbot amateur footballer John Fowler’s funeral at Coltness Memorial Church in Newmains on Friday at noon.
He will be laid to rest in Cambusnethan Cemetery at 1pm. The 26- yearold died at his home in Carousel Crescent last Tuesday. Police said his death is not being treated as suspicious.
Now the Wi s haw community have rallied round his family and have raised almost £5000 in his memory.
Gordon Grenfell set up the Go Fund Me page to help the family with funeral costs.
He posted: “John was a great man, son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend.
“He would light up any room he walked into and always made people smile
and laugh, even if it was with his terrible dancing.
“If you could spare a little it would help a lot to lighten the load at this most heaviest of times.”
An update on the Go Fund Me page last week added: “Totally overwhelmed by the response for John, it’s a true testament to how loved he was.
“It’s a very hard time for everyone and I would like to thank everyone for their generosity.
“The funds raised will go a very long way to helping the family.”
Hearts fan John played for a number of local teams over the years and was currently starring for Cambusnethan Talbot.
A statement on the club’s Facebook page said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people, organisations and fellow amateur football clubs for their unwavering support and offers of condolence following the tragic passing of our friend and team-mate John Fowler.
“John was not only a top football player known by many across the amateur game, he was also a top team-mate and more importantly a top man to his friends and family in his life outside the game.
“As a club we cannot express how the actions and words of kindness from others has helped everyone connected with the club cope with the tragedy of John’s sudden passing.
“From everyone connected with Cambusnethan Talbot – thank you.
“Although in a period of deep mourning, we are now in the process of deciding how best to pay our respects to John Fowler both as a person and as a footballer.
“However, one thing is certain. He will never be forgotten.”
A minute’s silence was held at a number of amateur games in the area over the weekend in tribute to John including those involving Wishaw Wycombe Wanderers AFC and Newmains Hammers.
John’s family were too upset to speak about his death when the Wishaw Press attempted to contact them for comment this week.
People can still donate to the Go Fund Me page by logging on to www.gofundme. com/in-memory-of-john-fowler.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “A 26-year-old man died within a house in Wishaw last Tuesday.
“A post-mortem will take place in due course. However, his death is not being treated as suspicious.”