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Footballer hit by lightning in Highgate United match remembered | Footballer hit by lightning in Highgate United match remembered |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A stand has been named in memory of a footballer who was killed by lightning whilst playing 50 years ago. | |
Defender Tony Allden, 23, died as he played for West Midlands club Highgate United in an FA Amateur Cup quarter-final. | Defender Tony Allden, 23, died as he played for West Midlands club Highgate United in an FA Amateur Cup quarter-final. |
The renamed Tony Allden Stand at Highgate was unveiled at 14:00 GMT. | |
On 25 February 1967, opponents Enfield were wining 1-0 when the game was stopped in the 28th minute when recently married Mr Allden was struck. | On 25 February 1967, opponents Enfield were wining 1-0 when the game was stopped in the 28th minute when recently married Mr Allden was struck. |
Enfield went on to win the rearranged match 6-0 at Villa Park, which was watched by a crowd of 30,000 with proceeds going to the player's family. | Enfield went on to win the rearranged match 6-0 at Villa Park, which was watched by a crowd of 30,000 with proceeds going to the player's family. |
More than 3,000 were at the original game involving the Solihull club. | More than 3,000 were at the original game involving the Solihull club. |
Team-mate Roy Taylor said: "The chances of it happening must be millions to one... [there was] just a flash and a lot of the players went down like a pack of cards." | Team-mate Roy Taylor said: "The chances of it happening must be millions to one... [there was] just a flash and a lot of the players went down like a pack of cards." |
Mr Taylor and brother Eric, another former Highgate player, were taken to hospital and treated for shock. | Mr Taylor and brother Eric, another former Highgate player, were taken to hospital and treated for shock. |
Ken Barnett, who was at the Highgate game and played football and cricket with Mr Allden, said: "Obviously I was heartbroken really because he was a good mate of mine and he didn't deserve to have his life cut that short... from a freak incident." | Ken Barnett, who was at the Highgate game and played football and cricket with Mr Allden, said: "Obviously I was heartbroken really because he was a good mate of mine and he didn't deserve to have his life cut that short... from a freak incident." |
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