THERE will be a minute’s silence at tomorrow’s game at home to Leeds United to remember two former footballers and Burton student Hannah Bladon.
Hannah, a former Abbot Beyne pupil, was killed in a knife attack in Jerusalem on April 14 while on an exchange programme in Israel.Former England and Aston Villa defender Ugo Ehiogu has died at the age of 44 after suffering a cardiac arrest at Tottenham's training centre on Thursday.
And Burton Albion received the sad news this week of the passing of former player Dave McAdam.
Dave was 94 and leaves behind his wife Alice.
Dave McAdam, born in 1923, was on the books at Leeds United and Wrexham, gaining Football League experience, before joining Albion for the 1951-52 season.
He was a resident at the Mount Pleasant Care Home in Burton in recent times.
He made 238 appearances for the Brewers during the 1950s making the left half position his own.
He stayed at Wellington Street until 1960 and was given a benefit match against Charlton Athletic for his services.
After the Brewers, he played for Matlock Town in the Central Alliance.
In his book Wellington Street to Wembley, Rex Page described Dave as “a true sportsman and gentleman on and off the field”.
Rex adds: “Of the early breed of Albion player, Dave was one of the most accomplished. He brought skill, ball control and vision to the left half berth which he more or less made his own in eight seasons with the club.”
Dave’s career is also documented on the Leeds fans’ site www.thirkersleeds.co.uk.
It states: “During the war, Dave served with the 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment in India, Burma and on the North West Frontier. He played football at battalion level and on demob in 1946 worked at the Branston Ordnance Depot. He joined Stapenhill WMC and was spotted – within months he was in the Leeds first team.”
Burton Albion chairman Ben Robinson said: “Everyone at Burton Albion was shocked at the tragic death of Hannah Bladon and we wanted to show our sympathy at the match on Saturday as our thoughts are with her family.
“This week both Burton Albion and Leeds have also received sad news of the passing of former players. Dave McAdam played for both Leeds and Burton Albion and is fondly remembered as one of the Brewers greats of the 1950s.
“Ugo Ehiogu’s death at the age of 44 has shocked the football world and we join Leeds United in paying our respects to the former England defender.”