The Club has been in mourning after it lost one of its players last week when Liam Keeling, aged 13, sadly died suddenly from bacterial meningitis. Liam played for our Under 13s Panthers, co-managed by his dad Andy. Our thoughts are with his parents, Andy and Georgina, and his sister Hannah.
The funeral will take place at 12.00 on Friday November 13th at St Marys Catholic Church, Cannock. Please note that the burial part of the service is for family members only.
Hannah has requested that, if at all possible, people who attend wear red Walsall FC or red England shirts. The family have also requested that donations are made to Meningitis UK.
Shaun Flaherty, co-manager, paid tribute to Liam: –
‘Liam’s death has come as a big shock to everyone at the club. We were at a race night with them on Friday and Liam seemed ok then. The next day I had a message from Andy saying he was bad and couldn’t play on Sunday’ he said. Shaun went on ‘Liam and my son Jordan had joined Wyrley at the age of seven. He was a gentle giant and a diamond footballer with a rocket of a shot. Liam was a very polite, well mannered young man and was a credit to Andy and Georgina. He never had a bad word to say about anyone and would not harm anyone and being one of our tallest members of our team he was a true gentle giant.’ He went on ‘Liam had been part of our team from the start, a keen Walsall fan, he soon became one of the most influential players in all of that time. It was often said that when Liam played well the team played well, such was his importance. He was strong in the tackle and would never give up until the final whistle had blown, but his most prized asset was the rocket he had in his right foot that scored countless long range goals to which we would call him Bobby Charlton.
Shaun added ‘Liam will be sorely missed as a player but more so for the person he was.’
The Club echoes everything Shaun has said and will do all that is needed to support Andy, Georgina and Hannah. Our thoughts are with them at this very sad time and we thank all teams who impeccably observed the minute silences over the last weekend.
The Club is supporting the family wishes to support Meningitis UK and is already planning a Walsall Old Boys v Wyrley Juniors First Team match on 31st January 2010 at Great Wyrley FC, Hazel Lane, Great Wyrley. Details to be confirmed in due course.
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