The Poolie Bunker

From the Hartlepool Mail website

By by Michael Gannon
MANAGER Danny Wilson has called on Hartlepool United fans to come out in force to pay their respects to Michael Maidens this weekend.
Pools face Brighton at Victoria Park on Saturday in their first match since the tragic death of winger Maidens last Friday.
Last Saturday's game at Swansea was called off as a mark of respect to the talented 20-year-old who was involved in a fatal car accident.
Pools fans have inundated the club with floral tributes and messages of support and Wilson is hoping they come to the Vic on Saturday in tribute to the player who won the goal of the season award in 2005/06 with a wonder goal against Huddersfield.
"Whatever we decide to do on Saturday it will be in accordance with the wishes of Michael's family," Wilson said.
"The fans have been terrific, there are flowers at the ground and loads of messages of support for the family, it just showed how highly Michael was regarded by them.
"Hopefully there will be a full house out to pay their respects to a lad who was not just a smashing player but a terrific person.
"Everyone at the club is devastated by what has happened and it is a very difficult time.
"But as you can understand that is magnified by 100 times and then some for his family.
"All of our thoughts are with them at this time and it would be nice if we have a fitting tribute at the weekend.
"We have lost not just a talented player but a fantastic person.
"Michael was very well-liked by everyone at the club, no-one had a bad word to say about him.
"He was always polite and courteous, with a smile on his face and he loved his football.
"He was a credit to his family and they were rightfully proud of him."
Wilson admitted his squad were shattered by the news but he emphasised that their thoughts are entirely with Michael's family, who the manager visited yesterday.
And the boss also voiced his gratitude to Swansea for the way they dealt with the late call-off at the weekend.
"This is a very close-knit bunch of boys, everyone knows that," he said.
"They were obviously devastated but everyone is thinking about Michael's family, they are the important ones here.
"It is a difficult time but they will all stick together and we will do what we can to offer them our support.
"I have to say that Swansea were extremely helpful on Saturday, straight away they agreed to call the game off and their manager Roberto Martinez and his assistant Graham Jones came to visit us at the hotel.
"That was a terrific gesture and one which we appreciate.
"The police could not have been more helpful to us either, which we were also grateful for."
Last Updated: 23 October 2007 9:58 AM

He's right. We miss the player, we're devastated by the tragedy of unfinished youth, but the family are the ones who have to bear the real loss.

Whatever they say goes. There'll be no argument from me.