In the thoughts of thousands...
Reporter: Andrew Rudkin
Date published: 12 March 2012
Tribute to murdered hostage Chris
THE heartbroken family of Chris McManus witnessed thousands of soccer fans pay their respects to the murdered hostage on Saturday.
Boundary Park observed a minute’s silence before kick-off at Oldham Athletic’s weekend game in tribute to the lifelong fan, who was killed in Nigeria after an attempted rescue operation on Thursday.
Relatives of the 28-year-old Royton man walked united from their home to the ground to take their seats in the stands — where the passionate supporter enjoyed watching his beloved Latics. Tributes have flooded in since the tragedy, which has shocked Oldham and the world.
Latics manager Paul Dickov tried rallying his own football troops in the dressing room at half-time during their game against Yeovil Town, which ultimately ended in a 2-1 defeat.
He said post-match: “I mentioned it at half-time that I didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for themselves when there are things like that going on. It puts everything into perspective.
“It would have been nice to get the result for his family.”
The club announced that Chris’s parents Laura and Mike have provided accommodation for young players for many years — most recently accommodating Djeny Bembo.
When approached by the Chronicle, the family declined to comment, but said in a statement: “We are of course devastated by the news of Chris’s death.
“During this ordeal, we have relied heavily on the support of our family and friends which has never waned and has enabled us to get through the most difficult of times.
“We now need time to grieve and come to terms with our loss. We would therefore be grateful if you would respect our privacy at this most difficult of times.”
The quantity surveyor, who was working for the construction company B. Stabilini, building a bank, was kidnapped 10 months ago in the densely-populated African country.
In December last year, a Nigerian group calling itself “al-Qaeda in the land beyond the Sahil” announced it was holding Chris and Italian colleague Franco Lamolinara — who was also killed.
Prime Minster David Cameron gave the green light to a daytime rescue operation by UK elite squadron group, the Special Boat Service and Nigerian forces, after a “window of opportunity” arose.
The troops shot dead two of the terrorists as they stormed a house on the outskirts of Bernin Kbbi — but both Mr McManus and Mr Lamolinara had been executed by their captors, it is believed.
National reports suggest Islamist militant group Boko Haram is behind the killings in the North-West city of Sokoto.
A female childhood friend from Royton, who didn’t want to be named, remembers Chris as a “popular and genuine lad”.
She said: “I did not know anyone who had a bad word to say about Chris.
“What has happened is just awful. I just got a lump in my throat when I heard what happened.
“Many years ago I remember when I was younger and falling off my bike and hurting myself — he came over and helped me and took me home — which I thought was an extremely nice thing for a young person to do. My thoughts go out to his family.”
Mr McManus studied at the University of Salford after attending Newman College, formerly Our Lady’s RC High School, and was a former pupil at St Aidan and St Oswalds RC School — both in Royton.
Mike McGhee, Newman College head teacher said the school community was in shock.
He paid tribute: “I, unfortunately, did not know Chris, but there are are number of staff here who remember him fondly and hold him in high regard.
“He was not only popular with staff, but popular with his peers and as well as being successful at school — he went on to do well at the sixth form here.
“Chris was an all-rounder at the school and successful in both sport and academic subjects. The school community’s thoughts are with his family.”
The body of Mr McManus was flown home from the Nigerian capital Lagos to Heathrow on Saturday.
Friend, Matt Beattie wrote on Facebook: “Rip mate you are a boy in blue in the sky.”
ITALY’s Government has reaffirmed it will continue to work with the UK closely in the fight against terrorism and hostage-taking.
Reports suggested Italian prime minister was angered at the rescue operation going ahead without his knowledge - which ended with the death of Franco Lamolinara, along with Chris McManus.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague and Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi met recently at an informal Foreign Ministers meeting in Copenhagen, in Denmark.
Mr Hague said there had been a “limited opportunity” to secure the release of the two hostages whose lives were in imminent and growing danger.
It was only possible to inform Italy once the operation was already getting underway, he claimed.
Mr Terzi expressed “deep sorrow and disappointment” , but both ministers agreed on the urgency of sharing full information to facilitate the “reconstruction and understanding” of the events.
A Foreign Office statement said: Both Ministers conveyed their solidarity and sympathy for the families of Chris McManus and Franco Lamolinara.
“They reaffirmed that the UK and Italy will continue to work together closely in the fight against such horrific terrorism and hostage-taking.”
