Sponsored by
Corrie star backs Owls coma victim
THIS is the first picture of Sheffield Wednesday fan 'Sid' - the man left in a coma after being attacked on his way home from watching his beloved team play Hartlepool United.
Sid - who The Star can today reveal as 50-year-old Kevin Taylor, from Swinton in Rotherham - came round from his coma yesterday and is now awake in hospital in Middlesbrough.
Today fellow fans including Coronation Street actor Thomas Craig sent get well messages to Sid as he remains in hospital in a stable condition.
At last Sunday's match between Brentford and the Owls, fans held up a specially-made blue banner printed the words 'Sid Get Well Soon'.
Sheffield-born Thomas, who played family man Tommy Harris in the ITV soap, told The Star he has known Sid for around 25 years and was sickened by the news of his attack.
"I didn't realise how serious it was when I first heard, so I just sent him a text at the time saying I hoped he was alright," he said.
"Obviously now everyone knows how serious it is.
"I have known Sid for about 25 years from going to football - he is a hard-working lad who spends all his money watching his team, so it is terrible to think he went to watch a match and came away from it in a coma."
He told The Star: "Sid is not a hooligan. He wouldn't have been looking for trouble in any way at all. He just likes to go to the match and have a drink.
"He was with a 70-year-old at the time - hardly the sign of a hooligan.
"It's really sad that this has happened to somebody who just loves his club and follows the lads all over the country."
Sid was left fighting for life after trouble flared between rival supporters near Hartlepool Railway Station, as Wednesday fans made their way home from their team's 5-0 victory last month.
He and another Wednesday fan were injured. It is believed Sid banged his head as he fell, fracturing his skull.
Sid was airlifted to hospital in Middlesbrough, where he remains, while the other injured fan - a 46-year-old Sheffield man - was discharged from hospital the next day.
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have started a collection for Sid, to help him financially when he is released from hospital.
Details of how to donate are on the Wednesdayite supporters' group website www.wednesdayite.com where a statement reads: "We were disturbed and saddened by the news of what had happened to Owls fan Kevin 'Sid' Taylor as he was beginning his journey home from watching the Owls play Hartlepool United on August 28.
"We strongly condemn all those who hide behind football and use it as an excuse for the kind of violence.
"Our thoughts now are with Sid and his family, and we send him our best wishes for a speedy recovery."
Pals are taking donations online and pass collection buckets at matches. Sheffield Wednesday donated a signed shirt to auction. So far about 180 has been raised.
Sid lives alone but has a partner who is believed to attend some matches with him. Her son Noel Rodway uses the Facebook site to update fans on Sid's progress and to allow supporters to pass on their best wishes. He says Sid is "a lovely man".
A club spokesman said: "Sheffield Wednesday deplores any kind of violence in the football society. All our thoughts are with Mr Taylor and his family and friends."
Two Hartlepool men, aged 23 and 27, have been charged with assault.
Got a view? Leave a comment below.
Follow The Star on Twitter and Facebook:
For breaking news and sport follow The Star on Twitter at www.twitter.com/sheffieldstar and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sheffieldstar .
JOIN THE STAR READER PANEL: The Star is YOUR newspaper, so tell us what you think about it and what you want to see - CLICK HERE.
Don't miss our daily pull-outs - only in the The Star: Monday Star Sport, Tuesday Class Act; Wednesday Business; Thursday Grassroots; Friday Time Out; Saturday Retro. Subscribe to The Star - CLICK HERE
READ MORE
Join the Star reader panel
Main news index
Your letters
Features
South Yorkshire's environmental news
Kids Zone
More business news
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Latest sport It is believed Sid banged his head on the ground as he fell, fracturing his skull.
Sid was airlifted to hospital in Middlesbrough, where he remains, while the other injured fan - a 46-year-old Sheffield man - was discharged from hospital the next day.
Sheffield Wednesday supporters have started a collection for Sid, to help him financially when he is released from hospital.
Details of how to donate are available on the Wednesdayite supporters' group website www.wednesdayite.com where a statement reads: "We were disturbed and saddened by the news of what had happened to Owls fan Kevin ‘Sid' Taylor as he was beginning his journey home from watching the Owls play Hartlepool United on August 28.
"We strongly condemn all those who hide behind football and use it as an excuse for the kind of violence.
"Our thoughts now are with Sid and his family, and we send him our best wishes and our hopes for a speedy recovery.
"We have been asked to help with collecting funds for Sid, who remains in hospital, to assist him and his family with the expenses they will be incurring at this time."
In addition to gathering donations online, pals are circulating collection buckets at matches and Sheffield Wednesday has donated a signed football shirt to auction off.
So far around 180 has been raised.
Sid lives alone but has a partner who is believed to attend some football matches with him. Her son Noel Rodway has used the Facebook social networking site to keep fans updated on Sid's progress and to give fellow supporters the chance to pass on their best wishes.
He describes Sid as "a lovely man".
A Sheffield Wednesday spokesman said: "Sheffield Wednesday deplores any kind of violence in the football society. All our thoughts and prayers are with Mr Taylor and his family and friends at this very difficult time."
Two Hartlepool men, aged 23 and 27, have been charged with assault.
By Claire Lewis
Crime Reporter
claire lewis
News Reporter
Sickened by attack: Actor Thomas Craig with Kevin ‘Sid' Taylor who was left fighting for life.
Support: Sheffield Wednesday fans pay tribute to attack victim Sid.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -3 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
