We staged rugby match to pay tribute to Troy
Former teammates of teenage hit-and-run victim Troy Atkinson played a fundraising rugby match in his memory.
The 15-year-old's old club Nailsea & Backwell and an invitation XV played at Dings Crusaders' ground in Landseer Avenue, Lockleaze, on Sunday.
It was the players' idea to stage the game and they each paid a £5 match fee to help cover the costs of Troy's funeral. A minute's silence was held before the game to honour Troy.
The Nailsea & Backwell side comprised Troy's former teammates while the Barbarians team had players from Clifton Rugby Club, St Bernadette's, Old Reds, Weston Hornets and Dings Crusaders.
Members of Troy's family and friends watched the match, including his parents, uncles and aunts.
Troy's aunt Karen Phillips, aged 41, of Marksbury Road, Bedminster, said: "It's really touching, I just think it's a lovely, positive thing they could do towards Troy's memory.
"Troy had a natural ability, it meant a lot to us, and it's lovely to see other people's respect for him."
Kevin Spencer, who was a coach at Nailsea & Backwell, said: "The idea was just to give a tribute to Troy. He was respected by so many players and parents. A lot of the public thought we should do something to honour his name and it's brilliant to see everybody here.
"Troy was the quickest, most powerful and bravest player you would ever likely to watch.
"He was a lovely kid, he always gave 100 per cent and the boys wanted to show their respect for him, both as a player and an opponent."
Mark Wilson, another of Troy's former coaches at Nailsea & Backwell, described Troy as a "lovely lad" who was naturally talented and said his former teammates had been devastated by his death.
He said: "We hope to raise as much as possible, and Nailsea & Backwell would like to say a large thank you to the Dings for today."
Two of Troy's former teammates said the winger was an "awesome player".
Grady Wright, 15, of Backwell, said: "He was a wonderful player and he would have loved this match. He would have really shone."
Elliot Cheeseright, 14, of Backwell, said: "Everybody liked having Troy around. Rugby was good for Troy and Troy was good for rugby. Everybody liked him."
Following the closely-contested game, which resulted in a 32-24 win for Nailsea & Backwell, a framed photo of Troy in full flight on the rugby field was presented to his parents.
Troy, of Hartcliffe, played for Nailsea & Backwell at under 12, 13, and 14 level, finishing top try scorer every season before joining St Mary's Rugby Club in Bradley Stoke.
The former Withywood Community School pupil was with a friend in Cabot Circus on April 28 when he was hit by a Mercedes at the junction of Penn Street, Broad Weir and Lower Castle Street. Troy, who had severe head injuries, died in Frenchay Hospital.
Dozens of floral tributes, messages and a Nailsea & Backwell rugby shirt were laid near the scene of the incident outside the Castlemead building.
A march by more than 300 friends and family was held to raise money for funeral costs.
On Wednesday, Mohammed Ahmed, 18, of Eastville, appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court charged with causing Troy's death by dangerous driving. He also faces charges of taking a Mercedes from an address in Eastville without consent, failing to stop for an accident and driving without insurance.
Ahmed was remanded in custody to appear before the court tomorrow.
9 Comments
by mac, bristol
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 3:08PM
“ey, i played in this game and troy was a good mate, u think it was a poor effort by us? y dont u get off ur ass and do something then? yeh didnt think so. if your thinking this .because of the shoplifting thing then nice of you 2 prejudge, some of us weren't even on the walk and even if we were i know for a fact none of us would have taken anything. and how would you like it if u son/daughter died, had there life cut short? and didnt have enough money for a funeral? you would love as much help as u could get , and you say nice friends he has, well yeah he's got great friends and more than you have or even will mate .... well done lads good game woulda done troy proud x”
by Heather, Nailsea
Monday, May 18 2009, 10:28PM
“My 15 year old son played in the match on Sunday and I am so proud of him and all the other boys who made the effort on a cold Sunday morning,How dare people sit in judgment, I did not know Troy outside of the rugby field, but he was a fantastic player and huge loss to the rugby family the boys wanted to do something for a well respected player, they, unlike others did not base their opinion of him on stereotyping and preconceived ideas. Please remember you are talking about a 15 year old boy , someones son, someones brother, someones friend and show the same respect and decency that you would expect, should you ever be unlucky enough to find yourself in a similar situation. Well done boys, you do us all proud.”
by Matt, Backwell
Monday, May 18 2009, 9:20PM
“I played in that rugby match for Troy and i feel you have no right to question the intent of a great send off for a great rugby player. we all greatly miss troy and he was the spark in our team and the game shows how many friends he has in the rugby world. the people who braved the rain on sunday raised £1000 for his family to help cover funeral costs because his family could not afford it. i think your comments r appauling. troy was a funny, genuine guy wenever i was with him and im not going to let you who never met him write rubbish about him. i would also like to say thank you to all who played on sunday it was an emotional day and we raised alot of money for a great cause”
by Tina, St Pauls
Monday, May 18 2009, 3:30PM
“Anne-Marie ... it reflects on him because these are the people he would/did "hang out" with. Who's behaviour he must of deemed acceptable or he would not of associated with them, that is how it reflects on him. A poor show from his so called friends.
I read a blog on the net where the author claimed that due to his ethnic origin and background, his tragedy received less publicity than the horrific death of Sam Riddell. I fear the author does not read BEP as this is dragging on for too long. Sometimes it's best to just let things lie, the family will be wanting to grieve and seeing stories (and comments) almost daily in the paper, is going to make the process harder. There are a MIRIAD of sites now open to pay tribute to Mr Atkinson, this is where these stories belong, not in the newspaper.
Maybe if the money raised was donated to a charity or trust, rather than (in my opinion) rather tactlessly publicised as being spent on his funeral, it may be more news worthy. A little dignity is in order now, not only for the benefit of Troy but his friends and family that need time to heal.”
by Anne-marie, Bristol
Monday, May 18 2009, 2:38PM
“Yes i agree it was wrong but why should this reflect on a 15yr old boy whos life has been cut short by a joy rider???!!!!!..
Also this is not about the march it's about the charity Rugby match??!!”
by Nick, Bristol
Monday, May 18 2009, 2:37PM
“Please,Pleeeeeeze,give this non story a rest.”
by anon, bristol
Monday, May 18 2009, 2:07PM
“Yes and at this march people ran into a shop and stole lots of things nice friends he has”
by Mark, Bristol
Monday, May 18 2009, 12:39PM
“Oh come on BEP, this deleting of valid comments is rather pathetic.”
by Anne-marie, Bristol
Monday, May 18 2009, 10:14AM
“It's a way for his friends to show how much Troy meant to them!!! he was a lovely kid with a good heart and deserves the biggest send off!!!!...
No one is forced to hand over any money so why criticize?? the people in which are donating are those they want to and care for Troy and his family.
I think it's an amazing thing thats been done by doing this charity match Troy will be proud. RIP Toy x”