My hero! Albion mad youngster braves Hawthorns mayhem to get help for his dad after collapse
A football mad youngster has been hailed a 'hero' after braving trouble at The Hawthorns during the Black Country Derby to get help for his dad who had collapsed during the game.
Declan Langford braved hoards of fans who were struggling when disorder broke out on Sunday, to battle his way to the front of the Birmingham Road stand at the corner of Halfords Lane and alert medics and stewards when his dad passed out with severe pain in the back of his head.
The family, from Darlaston, have received a personal message from Albion captain Jed Wallace thanking Declan, who attends Hall Green Primary School in West Bromwich for his actions and enquiring about the welfare of his dad, who is still in hospital.
Shaun, aged 40, has been an Albion fan for over 30 years and the whole family including his partner Amy and daughter Ava, aged seven, are season ticket holders – ironically Ava declined to go to the game as she thought there could be problems.
Speaking from his bed in Sandwell Hospital, where he is undergoing tests, Shaun said: "Declan is my hero for what he did – he is just 11-years-old and was so scared of the trouble and witnessing his dad collapsing. He was a very brave young boy to seek the help I required
"I was with my family in the Birmingham Road end when all of a sudden there was a lot of trouble right by where we were sitting. I stood up to see what was going on, then all of a sudden I had a sharp pain in the back of my head and I collapsed.
"I can't remember a thing I had to be stretchered out the ground and up to hospital.
"The fans around me where trying to help me and my partner as I kept passing out. They were trying to get the medical team and stewards attention, but due to the disorder and was happening right by us they where dealing with that.
"But Declan braved all the mayhem and everything going on around him to help his dad. He was so scared of the trouble and witnessing his dad collapsing. But he didn't take any notice. He was a brave young boy to seek the help I required.
"I need to say a massive thank you to my partner and all the supporters around me and the medical staff and stewards for their help as there was other disorder in the ground and they were under a lot of pressure but the biggest thank you is to my son."
"What happened on Sunday was very sour for both clubs. But what he did is a breath of fresh air and follows how my and my partner have brought him up. We are so proud of him."
Comment Guidelines
Iconic Media encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.