Tributes and fundraiser as friends name Sheffield Wednesday fan who died in tragic Stocksbridge collision
Tributes have been paid to a popular Sheffield Wednesday fan, killed in a collision near Stocksbridge, and named by friends.
Police announced on Saturday that a 63-year-old pedestrian had sadly died as a result of a collision at the junction of Manchester Road and Johnson Street in Stocksbridge.
Friends and loved ones have paid tribute on the Star’s social media pages and named the man as Will Smith, a popular Sheffield Wednesday fan from Sheffield.
Now, the landlady of one of the pubs near Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium has also launched a fundraising appeal for Will’s family’s funeral costs.
Bev Griffin, who runs the Riverside Pub in Hillsborough, said she had tragically lost a dear friend.
She said: “On behalf of his family we'd like to fundraise to help towards funeral costs to give Will the send off he deserves
“Will was a life long Sheffield Wednesday fan, you'd never see him without one of his many Wednesday shirts on.
“Will was the life and soul of wherever he was, to know him was to love him. Whether it was his infectious laugh, his wicked sense of humour or his football banter with anyone that would listen.”
“Since his passing it has become very apparent how many people loved Will. He has left an enormous hole in all of our hearts. He is totally irreplaceable.”
You can donate by logging onto the page she has set up the gofundme page she has created on https://gofund.me/1e7d1f6a5.
On The Star’s social media pages, several people have paid tribute to Will.
Brandan Hynes said: “Will. You will always be missed kind soul
Martin Birley said: “RIP Will Wawaw Smith, remember you fondly from watching the Owls. Sincere Condolences to all Family and Friends. God Bless .”