Stourbridge stabbing victims remembered as father and daughter return to watch West Brom
The victims of the brutal stabbings in Stourbridge were remembered at The Hawthorns today, where the two surviving family members were watching their beloved West Brom for the first time since the tragedy.
Peter Wilkinson and daughter Lydia, both Baggies season ticket holders, were in the stands two and a half weeks after mother Tracey and son Pierce were stabbed to death at their family home in Norton, Stourbridge.
Mr Wilkinson, aged 47, is continuing to recover from surgery after being seriously injured in the stabbing, but made it to Albion's match against Liverpool with 18-year-old daughter Lydia, who was away at university when the attack took place.
Images of Tracey, 50, and Pierce, 13, were displayed on the big screen at The Hawthorns as players gathered around the centre circle and joined supporters for an emotional minute's applause in their memory.
A page in the matchday programme was also dedicated to the Wilkinson Family, which read: "The football club and all of us here this afternoon offer our support to Peter and Lydia as they look to rebuild their lives following this tragedy.
"They have asked for a minute's applause in memory of Tracey and Pierce and we hope you will join with us in lending them a hand in this time of need."
Prior to the game, Albion Chief Executive Martin Goodman asked supporters to help celebrate the lives of Tracey and Pierce, saying: "We know from the huge public reaction to the incident just how much these awful events have shocked everyone and it is difficult for us to imagine what Peter, Lydia and their loved ones are going through.
"It says everything about Peter's strength of character that he has fought back from life-threatening injuries and is now so determined to return to The Hawthorns on Sunday to watch the team he loves.
"They have asked us to celebrate the lives of Tracey and Pierce and I am sure all Baggies fans will want to do so in the spirit of community support and understanding for what they are enduring."
After the tribute the club tweeted that the applause had been 'impeccably observed' by fans from both sides.
Tracey, Pierce and Peter all suffered serious stab wounds in the shocking attack at their house on Greyhound Lane on March 30. While Tracey and Pierce were fatally wounded, Peter was left fighting for his life and has only recently been discharged from hospital.
Heartbroken Lydia, a student at Bristol University, returned to the scene two weeks ago where she read some of the many messages that have been left in tribute outside the family home.
Lydia described her mother as "loving, caring and a wonderful mother and daughter" who always put others before herself, and said her younger brother "was a fun loving, friendly and happy boy, who loved computer games and made everyone smile."
Mr Wilkinson is a managing director at Hill & Smith Asset International in Bilston.
Aaron Barley, aged 23 and of no fixed address, has been charged with murder and attempted murder and is due to stand trial on October 3.
