AFC Telford United staging tribute to devoted supporter Norman Wedge
AFC Telford United will hold a minute's silence before Saturday's game against Luton Town in memory of one of its most devoted supporters who died at the age of 76.
Norman Wedge, whose funeral takes place tomorrow, started following The Bucks when he was 14 and did not miss a home game until illness struck three years ago.
Even then the pensioner still kept up with the action thanks to DVDs of his beloved team generously given to him by his local video shop.
Mr Wedge lived in Cound Close, Wellington, until recently when he and his wife Joan moved into a specially adapted flat in Hiatt Avenue in the town.
He suffered with heart, kidney and diabetes and had dialysis several times a week at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
Mr Wedge died at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford on December 10 and his funeral will take place tomorrow at 2pm at Wellington Methodist Church, followed by cremation at Telford Crematorium.
He leaves, in addition to his wife, children David, Derek, Debbie and Pamela.
Mrs Wedge has asked for family flowers only but any donations should be made to the dialysis unit at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
The minute's silence will be held at the New Bucks Head on Saturday before the game against Luton Town.
Mrs Wedge said: "He never missed a home game until he fell ill and even then he watched the games on DVD thanks to our local video shop Brooklands.
"Football was his life. He lived for it. I would often take a back seat to football on Saturdays. Even when his eyesight went he would get me to read out the football papers to him on a Sunday, page after page."
The Telford players are due to wear black armbands on Saturday as a mark of respect to Mr Edge.
By Simon Hardy
