City shirt heartbreak for widow

Manchester City shirt on headstone

Celebrations of Premier League success turned bittersweet for one family of Manchester City fans, whose football tribute to a relative was stolen from his grave.

Maureen Davies, of Chadderton, has been left heartbroken after a Manchester City shirt that had belonged to her late husband, Jimmy, was taken from his headstone by thieves.

The Davies family are now appealing to Oldham Chronicle readers to come forward if they know anything about the incident.

Lifelong City fans James and Maureen had held season tickets at the club for over 40 years. Jimmy, a father of four daughters, died two years ago.

Following the Blues’ first ever Premier League title win, Maureen and Mark travelled to Chadderton Cemetery to adorn James’s grave with the football shirt — one of Jimmy’s most beloved belongings.

But when Maureen returned to the cemetery a couple of days later, she was horrified to see the shirt had been stolen.

She said: “This has really upset me, I want to sob. Whoever has done this is a terrible person. Have they got no conscience?

“Jimmy was a lifelong supporter of the club. We used to travel to all the away matches, and supported them even when they were on the brink. He got ill just as the new owners came in so never saw them become good.

“He worked hard all his life and put a lot into society, but now he’s getting nothing back. What sort of person has done this?

“That shirt held a lot of special memories for us. We were only going to leave it there for a week or so to mark the occasion. The entire family is devastated”, Maureen added.

“It is sickening to think about. How could someone do this?”

Maureen is now anxious for anyone with any information to come forward.

“We just want it back. It’s heartbreaking to think how hard he worked for us all. We really need someone to come forward.”

l If anyone knows anything about the incident, please contact the Oldham Chronicle newsdesk on 0161-622 2129.