Tributes paid to crash brothers

7:13pm Monday 13th October 2008

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Tributes have been paid to the three Bradford football fans who were killed in a motorway crash as they returned home after watching England play at Wembley.

Brothers Tony Worby, 25, and Jonathan Worby, 21, of Rowlestone Rise, Greengates, and their friend Gareth Rhodes, 23, of Lavell Mews, Eccleshill, all played for Ravenscliffe Sunday Reserves and Ventus/Yeadon Celtic.

They were travelling home from watching England beat Kazakhstan 5-1 on Saturday when their silver Ford Mondeo swerved across the motorway, went over a crash barrier and hit a road sign at about 9.40pm.

Police are still investigating the cause of the crash at junction 32 of the M1 in South Yorkshire. It also remains unclear who was driving at the time.

Their deaths have rocked the Bradford football community.

Ravenscliffe Sunday Reserves cancelled its fixtures as a mark of respect, while it has also been confirmed that Ventus’ games this weekend have also been postponed.

John Bolton, general manager of Ravenscliffe Sunday Reserves, said the club had become a “focal point for the community”.

He said: “We’ve held a meeting and we’ve spoken to the Council about a memorial in the park where we play. We’ve been in touch with the County Football Association and District FA and they are going to look at releasing funds.

“Everything is up in the air at the moment, we’re still dealing with the grief. We’ve been getting message of support from other teams and we’ve discussed collecting donations for the families.”

The West Riding County Football Association has announced that there will be a minute’s silence at all the games across the district this weekend.

John Riordan, county governance manager of the Association, said: “I’m just shocked. They’ve gone to watch the national squad get a victory and you’d think they’d have been in good spirits. It’s a very sad day for grassroots football in Bradford.

“Our sympathies go to the parents and the club. We will be in touch with the club to see if there’s anything we can do to help.

“Rivalries fall into insignificance when it’s something like this. I’m lost for words. It’s a sad loss for football and their families.”

Tributes have been added to a book of condolences which has been set up on the Telegraph & Argus website.

One member of the City Gents Supporters Club wrote: “Our thoughts are with the families of the departed. It’s always sad to hear of someone’s loss. Be strong and take care.”

Many others have expressed their sadness on the Bradford Sunday Alliance Football League’s online forum.

One tribute reads: “Truly sad, sad news. Football doesn’t even come close when these tragedies happen.”

The men were all former employees at lamp manufacturers Havells Sylvania, in Otley Road, Shipley.

Mr Rhodes, the father of two young children, was married in August.

An inquest into their deaths is due to be opened in Rotherham later this week.

The T&A has opened a Book of Condolence in the men's memory.

Click here to sign the book