Latest news with #WarringtonTown
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Warrington Town's first home pre-season friendly is confirmed
WARRINGTON Town have confirmed the first of their home pre-season friendlies as their summer schedule starts to come together. Yellows will welcome National League side Altrincham to the Stadium for a friendly match on Saturday, July 12, kick off 3pm. It will be fans' first chance to see what is likely to be a new-look Town side on home soil as they bid to bounce back having been relegated from the National League North. Earlier this week, nine departures were confirmed from last season's squad with only three players currently under contract for the 2025-26 campaign, although talks are ongoing with several players about remaining at the club. More friendlies are expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks, with pre-season training due to start on June 28. Tickets for the Altrincham friendly are priced at £10 for adults, £6 for concessions and £2 for under 16s.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Former Man United academy star, 19, died after quitting football amid 'sudden mood change'
A former Manchester United academy player died in February with family having spotted a 'sudden change in his mood', an inquest has heard. Vinicius de Oliveira Cabral de Souza, known as Vini, was found dead in his bedroom at the family home in Walkden on February 20. De Souza has been born in Brazil and grew up in Portugal, before moving to Manchester 10 years ago. Bolton Corner's Court heard that De Souza had been 'disappointed' after being dropped by Man United 's academy in 14. His sister Mayara De Souza told the corner that her brother, who worked in a warehouse and played for Warrington Town, had repeatedly told friends and family 'I let you down'. The Manchester Evening News reported that De Souza's family found it 'unclear' as to why he believed he had 'disappointed' them. De Souza had continued to play football for five years after leaving Man United, but suddenly stopped training with Warrington Town. It was claimed his self-esteem had also been impacted when his acne returned after steroid cream he had been prescribed ran out. When doctors did not prescribe more of the cream, De Souza reportedly bought more online from India, despite his sister telling him not to use it. 'He stopped doing the things that he liked to do such as football, going to the gym and seeing friends,' De Souza's sister told Bolton Coroner's Court. 'He started apologising about the way he treated us and we didn't understand what he meant. 'His best friend as well, he said the same to him and he said he doesn't know why.' Mayara De Souza added that she had told her brother of her concerns that he was depressed last December, but he 'laughed at me'. He reportedly declined to attend an offer of further sessions with a psychotherapist, after attending one in January. De Souza had reportedly booked tickets to travel to Brazil in April, but was found dead in his bedroom. Police concluded he had died as a result of 'self-inflicted means by hanging'. Assistant coroner Stephen Teesdale was satisfied with the verdict and recorded the death as a 'suicide'. 'There's nothing more you could have done, you did everything,' Teesdale told De Souza's sister and father. 'You spotted the problem - depression. You made a plan, you sought professional assistance from a psychotherapist. 'You had a plan to take him to Brazil. There's nothing more you could have done. He had an entirely supportive family. It was to do with how he saw the world.' Warrington FC, following De Souza's death in February, posted a tribute to the teenager. 'The 19-year-old joined the club in 2023 and made an immediate impact with his fantastic technical ability, and has been a prominent part of the club's youth setup,' the club wrote. 'Scorer of the most spectacular goals, Vini was a well respected, much-loved member of the club, and his ability earned him a place training with the first team despite his young age. 'Over the past two seasons, Desouza has contributed 17 goals in 12 assists in 42 appearances from midfield across the Under 18s and Under 21s.' Team-mate Sam Gill added: 'Vini was a well loved and much valued player in our team. He grew into his character as his time at Warrington went on, and all of the lads had so much respect for him. 'He was an extremely talented footballer with so much ability, had a major impact coming in with us and consequently earning his space for training and playing matches with the first team. 'Vini is someone who will be missed dearly, both on the pitch and more importantly his character in the changing rooms and outside of football. We will all miss him and we send our condolences to his family at this difficult time.' The club launched a fundraising campaign to help his family cover funeral costs, with nearly £15,000 raised. Ex-Man United star Jesse Lingard was among those to contribute, with the former England international donating £5,000. For help and support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or go to
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Ex-Man Utd youth star, 19, died after quitting football and 'sudden mood change'
Vinicius de Oliveira Cabral de Souza was found dead in his bedroom in February with an inquest into his death having now established the circumstances of the ex-Man Utd academy star's passing A former Manchester United youth star died after his sister had spotted a 'sudden mood change' but was told 'there is nothing more' she could have done to save him. Vinicius de Oliveira Cabral de Souza, just 19 and known affectionately as Vini, passed away in February. A statement from his former club Warrington Town at the time read: "Scorer of the most spectacular goals, Vini was a well respected, much-loved member of the club, and his ability earned him a place training with the first team despite his young age. "He played for the first team last season in the Cheshire Senior Cup against Cheadle Town, and trained regularly with the first team, appearing in numerous pre-season friendlies over the past couple of seasons." An enquiry has now looked into the circumstances of his death. Bolton Coroner's Court heard that he had quit football just months before his death, with his sister, Mayara De Souza, noticing a distinct change in her sibling. It was told that the 19-year-old had previously apologised to family and friends for letting them down. Vini was 'disappointed' when he was dropped by United at the age of 14 - albeit he continued playing football for five years. He is said to have never explained why he gave up and stopped training with Warrington Town. It was also said that he had seen his self-esteem drop after his steroid cream for acne run out. Speaking about her brother, Mayara De Souza said: "He stopped doing the things that he liked to do such as football, going to the gym and seeing friends. 'He started apologising about the way he treated us and we didn't understand what he meant. His best friend as well, he said the same to him and he said he doesn't know why." She continued: "He said to my dad before he died, 'Am I going to be arrested for this?' And [my dad] said, 'for what?' "He said, 'because of the way that I am, I'm going to be arrested'. And there was an occasion where he saw a police car but it was for a neighbour. He thought it was for him." Miss De Souza attempted to get her brother help as she booked a session for him with a psychotherapist which he attended in January, but he turned down any further sessions. When she told Vini he may have been depressed, he 'laughed in her face', she told the inquest. Vini had also stopped going out with friends after admitting to his mum that he had taken drugs at a nightclub on one occasion. A toxicologist's report found no trace of drugs or alcohol in Vini's system when he died. Vini was eventually found dead on February 20, with police concluding that he had died as a result of 'self-inflicted means by hanging'. Assistant coroner Stephen Teesdale was satisfied with that cause. Addressing his family, he said: "There's nothing more you could have done. You did everything. You spotted the problem - depression. You made a plan, you sought professional assistance from a psychotherapist. "You had a plan to take him to Brazil. There's nothing more you could have done. He had an entirely supportive family. It was to do with how he saw the world." The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@ or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.
ITV News
24-04-2025
- ITV News
Chester FC fan took his own life after racism allegation at match against Warrington Town
An HGV driver who killed himself hours after police launched a probe into an alleged racist gesture made at a football match 'could not face the embarrassment' of a potential club ban or jail term, an inquest heard. Keen Chester FC fan Andrew Paul Hewitt, 52, was found dead at his family home in Flint, North Wales, on 1 December, the day after he attended an away fixture at National League rivals Warrington Town. Following the match, video emerged online of a 'small group' of Chester fans making gestures towards a Warrington player, a hearing at County Hall, Ruthin, was told on Wednesday, 23 April. Chester FC released a statement in which it expressed its discontent with the video and later said an individual had been identified and police would take appropriate action, the inquest heard. In a statement, Mr Hewitt's brother Alan said the father-of-one's behaviour was 'completely out of character'. He said: 'Andrew got caught up in the moment.' He added that his brother must have read the club statement, together with comments online, and thought he would either face a lengthy ban or a custodial sentence, and 'could not face the embarrassment of either outcome'. A note was found at Mr Hewitt's home in Palace Close which read: 'I f***** up. Sorry.' A number of family members attended the brief hearing at County Hall where Mr Hewitt was described as a 'hard-working individual' who had followed Chester FC home and away for 40 years, and was in a long-term relationship with Hayley Williams. Recording a conclusion of suicide, HM Coroner for North Wales John Gittins expressed his condolences as he told the family: 'It is a very tragic loss in very extreme, difficult circumstances. 'I can see this is a gentleman who is very much missed and the hole he has left is very difficult to fill in all of your lives.'
Metro
24-04-2025
- Metro
Football fan took his own life after feeling shamed from making racist gesture
A football fan took his own life just hours after police launched an investigation into his alleged racist gesture at a match. Chester FC fan Andrew Paul Hewitt, 52, 'couldn't face the embarrassment' of a potential club ban or jail term, an inquest heard, and was found hanging at his home in Flint, North Wales, on December 1. The day before, he had attended an away fixture at National League rivals Warrington Town. After the match, a video emerged of a 'small group' of Chester fans making racist gestures, including a 'monkey gesture', towards a Warrington player, a hearing at County Hall, Ruthin was told. Chester FC quickly released a statement, condemning the video, and later said an individual had been identified and police would take appropriate action. 'Racism has no place in sport or society, and anyone found to have displayed such behaviour will receive an indefinite ban from attending matches,' they said. In a statement, Mr Hewitt's brother Alan said the father-of-one's behaviour at the match was 'completely out of character': 'Andrew got caught up in the moment.' He said he believed his brother read the club statement, together with comments online, and thought he would either face a lengthy ban or a custodial sentence – both of which he could 'not face the embarrassment of.' A note was found at Mr Hewitt's home which read: 'I f***** up. Sorry.' A number of family members attended the brief hearing at County Hall, where Mr Hewitt was described as a 'hard working individual' who had followed Chester FC home and away for 40 years, and was in a long-term relationship with Hayley Williams. HM Coroner for North Wales John Gittins expressed his condolences as he told the family: 'It is a very tragic loss in very extreme, difficult circumstances. 'I can see this is a gentleman who is very much missed, and the hole he has left is very difficult to fill in all of your lives.' Samaritans are here to listen, day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email jo@ or visit for more information. Cheshire Police said in a statement: 'During the match between Warrington FC and Chester FC on Saturday, November 30, police were made aware of a racially aggravated public order offence. More Trending 'The suspect was identified and was due to be spoken to at a later date about the matter. 'Sadly, the man was reported to have died at an address in Flint on Sunday, December 1. There are no suspicious circumstances, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.' A similar incident in 2021 caused Newcastle FC to launch an investigation into an alleged racist gesture made by a fan towards a Tottenham player. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: I visited the Amazon returns warehouse where everything is discounted MORE: The UK's 'friendliest' city offers 2,000 years of history to explore
