Applause will be part of tributes to fan at West Bromwich Albion - Sheffield Wednesday match
A special tribute will be paid in memory of West Bromwich Albion fan Mark Townsend at today's home match against Sheffield Wednesday.
The Baggies fan, died aged 57, after suffering heart attack at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough Stadium in September 2024. The inquest concluded that he died of natural causes, but medical response to could have been quicker.
The Championship teams are due to play at The Hawthorns at lunchtime when a 57th minute applause is planned in Mr Townsend's memory and where a Sheffield Wednesday supporter will be presented with a £2,000 cheque towards a defibrillator campaign to install more units at Hillsborough.
The One in Every Corner campaign was launched by Wednesday supporter, Paul Gregory, aged 62, of Wolverhampton. He aims to get life-saving equipment fitted in every corner of every Premier league and EFL stadium.
Mr Gregory set up the campaign in memory of his daughter Lauren Walker, who died at the age of 29 after she had previously suffered a cardiac arrest, but survived due to paramedics treating her with the help of a defibrillator. Lauren's Legacy has so far raised in the region of £21,000 for devices.
The match is due to start at 12.30pm.
Following the inquest West Bromwich Albion stated: "West Bromwich Albion Football Club notes the findings of an inquest into the tragic death of Mark Townsend, who passed away following a medical emergency at Hillsborough Stadium on September 28, 2024.
"The club continues to provide the Townsend family with its love and support as they grieve Mark’s loss.
"The club welcomes the coroner’s decision to issue a Prevention of Future Deaths report and urges all associated parties to swiftly act on the concerns raised."
