Spanish yobs steal Ernie tribute flag

STOLEN . . . the tribute flag in memory of Ernie Cooksey

LATICS fans are determined that the memory of former player Ernie Cooksey will live on despite having a giant tribute flag stolen.

The flag was taken when a group of Athletic fans, including Richard Atwood and Mark Winterbottom, were attacked in Spain.

They were having their photograph taken outside the ground in Seville where England played Spain on Wednesday night when they were set upon and had the flag taken.

The giant flag of St George bearing the name “Ernie Cooksey 1980/2008” has become a feature at Athletic games as well as other major sporting events.

The fans made it in memory of Cooksey as well as to promote the fight against skin cancer after Cooksey’s life was cruelly cut short by the illness last July at the age of 28.

Athletic fan Mike Harpham, who did not make the trip to Spain, was informed of the attack by text.

He said: “The lads were having their photograph taken outside the ground with the flag, as they have done many times previously without any trouble, when they were attacked and the flag stolen.

“Fortunately nobody was hurt, but they arrived home last night without the flag which had been to every game this season.”

The fans are hurriedly trying to get a new flag made in time for the trip to Yeovil a week tomorrow.

Cooksey became a cult figure during his short time at Boundary Park having joined them in one of the club’s darkest hours when they had gone into administration and lost many of their top players.

The jovial midfield player, who quit his job as a builder and took a pay cut to become a professional footballer, played with a smile on his face and helped lift the gloom during a depressing time for Athletic.

He later played league football for Rochdale and Boston United before joining Blue Square Premier club Grays Athletic where his career ended after he was diagnosed with cancer.


Anybody wishing to find out more about Ernie and who would like to donate to the fight against skin cancer can do so by visiting the web site www.ernieflag.co.uk