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Archived News from November 2005

MORE TRIBUTES AND REACTION
21st November 2005 22:48


GAME OFF AFTER COLLAPSE
Evening Post, 21 November 2005
Mansfield chairman Keith Haslam said today the club would consult with Peter Wilson's family about a tribute to the Stags' goalkeeping coach, who died on Saturday.

The 52-year-old, who arrived at Field Mill less than two weeks ago, collapsed after suffering a heart attack while preparing the Mansfield goalkeepers for their match against Shrewsbury at Gay Meadow.

Keepers Kevin Pressman and Jason White rushed to his aid but, despite receiving prolonged paramedic treatment on the pitch, Wilson died later in the afternoon at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

The players were traumatised by the experience and the game was called off by referee Lee Probert.

Wilson had previously worked at Leicester City with manager Peter Shirtliff

Haslam said: "Peter asked me if he could come in and I think I met him for the first time about ten days ago.

"I arrived at the ground to find out what had happened and the players were really shocked.

"I think not playing the game was the only course of action we could have taken.

"Both Kevin and Jason tried to revive him and were very shocked."

This is the second time in recent years that tragedy has struck at a Mansfield Town game.

In April 2001, referee Mike North collapsed and died just before half-time when the Stags were playing at Southend.

The game was then played at the end of the season with the proceeds going to the referee's family and Haslam said consultation will take place as to what to do in Wilson's memory.

He said: "The only similar situation we have had like this was at the Southend game.

"It will be done in consultation with his family and we will be able to do something fitting.

"I'm sure the game will be played in his memory."

Fans were handed vouchers at the exit gates, which can be used for the fixture when it is rescheduled.

It was estimated 1,500 were in the ground when the game was postponed 15 minutes before kick-off. About 150 Stags' fans were there.

Shirtliff, who travelled straight to the hospital while the players took the team coach, said: "Kevin Pressman and I have known Peter from our time at Leicester City.

"He was a consummate professional who loved the game, a great guy and a true friend.

"This is a very sad day for the Stags and football in general."
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Shirtliff plays tribute to old friend
mansfieldtown.net, 21 Nov 05

Saturday afternoon was a very tragic time for Mansfield Town football club, it's fans, players and Staff. But two people who it affected in particular was Stags boss Peter Shirtliff and Goalkeeper Kevin Pressman who were not only colleagues but good friends of Peter Wilson who tragically died after a heart attack at the gay meadow.

"It was a very tragic and difficult weekend but knowing peter as I did I know he wouldn't want us moping around as a result of his death. We are trying to get through it. It will be difficult but we will get through it." He told the official website this morning.

"All the players took it badly but I think that the goalkeepers took it worse because they had built up a good relationship with peter and Kevin Pressman in particular was a friend from his days at Leicester as well as a colleague so he took it badly.

"in terms of the rest of the boys I am pleased that the game was called off because they were in no fit state to play as it was very distressing for them to see what was happening on the pitch.

" I would just like to say thank you to the fans. It has been very nice to receive all the messages from fans, they have been great showing a lot of sympathy and the people who were at Shrewsbury I believe with the fact the game was called off as a matter of necessity. I believe it shows a good collective spirit that surrounds this football club. Hopefully these things won't happen too often though.

" I am still in shock, I am still half expecting him to walk into the club for training tomorrow as usual but obviously that will not be the case and he will be missed."

The thing that came as most of a shock to everybody was the suddenness of the attack in a fit man of only 52 years.

" I was in the changing rooms at the time. We had just exchanged team sheets and I was preparing my match plan with the key outfield players when I got a message that Peter had collapsed. The Physio (Paul Madin) and myself went out onto the pitch to see if we could be off assistance. And I was very upset and distressed when I got out there.

"the emergency services were great and did all they could to revive him but he was declared dead by the time I reached the hospital." He added

But Shirtliff and the boys know that they have to get back to work in preparation for the tough game on Saturday at Field Mill against Draw specialist Stockport County.

"We have had a bit of a different day today with the lads undergoing fitness testing comparing their individual levels against the earlier part of the season. So tomorrow will be a tough day when we return back to training but the most important thing I have told the players I do not want to see any long faces - it's not a crime to smile and Peter wouldn't want that." Said Shirtliff.

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The messages of Condolence are pouring into Field Mill this morning
mansfieldtown.net, 21 Nov 05

Following the devastating news that Mansfield Town Goalkeeping coach Peter Wilson passed away at the weekend during the pre-match warm-up at Gay meadow the messages of Condolence have been flooding in.
If you would like your message to be added please email them to webmaster@mtfcmedia.fsnet and they will be added to this page as well as been passed on to Peter's family:
"All the committee and members of the SSA would like to pass on their sincere condolences to the family and friends of the Mansfield Town goalkeeper coach, Mr Peter Wilson. It is at times like these that following football with all its trials and tribulations are put into perspective. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. We would also like to pass on a thank you to the majority of the Shrewsbury Town supporters who agreed with the game being called off and who have also passed on their condolences." - Stags Supporters Association

"I am writing to say how shocked and saddened I was to hear the news of Peter's untimely death.
Please pass on my sympathy to his family." - Dave Summers (Plymouth Argyle fan)

"I used to train as a young goalkeeper at Leicester City with Pete. He was without a doubt the best goalkeeping coach in the world. He was fantastic and I am very proud to have known him. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Pete for everything he has done for me. My thoughts go out to his family. R.I.P Pete you were the best!!
Thanks so much Pete!" - Rob Peet

"Hi my name is Stephanie Davies I am a Shrewsbury town fan. I am sorry to hear about the goal keeper coach, it was a shock to every one. I feel for all the staff and players at Mansfield and the family and friends of Peter Wilson.
Our physio Rachel Greenley who helped with looking after him was very upset" - Stephanie Davies (Shrewsbury Town fan)

"I am a Brentford FC supporter and have just heard the news about your goalkeeper today.
As a football supporter, may I say how sorry I was to hear about him and hope that he makes a full recovery soon. My thoughts are with your club tonight. Good luck in League 2." - Martin Chandler (Brentford Fan)

"I would like to send my condolences to Mansfield staff, players, supporters and to Peter's family. As a Watford fan I know what it is like to lose a club member as we tragically lost Jimmy Davies a few years ago." Daniel Finill (Watford fan)

"Please could you pass on my condolences to the family of Peter Wilson. I am a Steward at Shrewsbury Town FC and I know that along with myself a lot of the other Stewards would not have wished such a sad end to the day. I am sure that many of the Town fans feel that it was a very sad thing to happen. I personally hope that Peter, who looked happy doing the warm up, never felt any pain in his passing." - Len Crane (Shrewsbury Town Steward)

"I wish to offer my deepest condolences to Peter's family and every one at Mansfield Town FC." - Neil Thomas (Shrewsbury Town Fan)

"I was so shocked to learn of Peter Wilson's sudden death on saturday. Please pass on my deepest condolences to Peter's family and friends. He will be sadly missed.
RIP Peter" - Paul Armstrong (Mansfield Town fan)

"At this time everbody connected with Mansfield town is in my thoughts. Football means nothing when a thing like this happens" -Niall Greathead (Gillingham fan)

"I would like to send the deepest sympathy of my wife and myself to the family of Peter Wilson, and to everyone at Mansfield Town. While we had
travelled up 170 miles to watch the match as Shrewsbury Town supporters, we both fully agreed that it was the only proper decision to call the
match off. Tragic events like this really put things into persepctive. I am sure that the vast majority of Shrewsbury fans feel the same way." - Howard Archer (Shrewsbury Town Fan)

" would like to pass on our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Peter Wilson and to Mansfield Town FC. My son and I were in the stands at the time Peter was receiving treatment and were sorry to hear of his death." - David & Alex Middleton (Shrewsbury Town season ticket holders)

"I would like to pass on my own condolences to Peter family, I work in Tamworth but travel from Mansfield each day, I have had many people pass on their deepest regret regarding Peter tragic death. It's not until people inform you they knew Peter personally that you start to realise the depth his career covered in coaching players and being their friend. So I would like to extend the condolence from all of Tamworth supporters and lower league teams in the surrounding area who Peter took time out to help and be a friend too. Rest In Peace Peter," - Steve Cantillon (Tamworth fan)

"May I pass on my condolences to the family and friends of your goalkeeping coach. I was very shocked to hear about his sudden death." - THOMAS LELEUX (Derby County fan)


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'We will have to be right on top of our game to get the victory '
mansfieldtown.net, 21 Nov 05

Stags will be looking for all three points on Saturday when they play host to Stockport County at Field Mill. The general feeling amongst the players is that we should have taken all three away from Edgely park in the opening fixture of the season. But Boss Peter Shirtliff warns it will not be an easy game.

"We should have taken all three points on the opening day but we were unlucky on that day. Now though we are at home so hopefully the tables will be turned and we can get the result we all want. It will be a difficult game though because although they concede goals they can score and are earning themselves the reputation of being the draw specialist in the league.

"We will have to be right on top of our game to get the victory that we are looking for" but, with Simon Brown returning to training the Stags boss is hopeful that we can return to form and start the ascent up the table. "Simon Brown failed a late fitness test at the weekend but he has reported in for training this morning and I am hopeful that he will be in contention for the Saturday game against Stockport"
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