Son pays tribute to tragic Wolves fan
The son of a lifelong Wolves supporter who collapsed and died at Molineux just minutes after watching the team's momentous win over Manchester City has paid tribute to his father and the people who went to his aid.
The son of a lifelong Wolves supporter who collapsed and died at Molineux just minutes after watching the team's momentous win over Manchester City has paid tribute to his father and the people who went to his aid.
David Gitsham collapsed in the Stan Cullis stand shortly after the final whistle blew on Wolves' 2-1 victory over the title contenders last month.
The 56-year-old, known as Rob, was a life-long Wolves fan.
Son James, aged 27, said his father, who was brought up in Wergs Road, Tettenhall, was taken to his first match at the age of eight by his uncle David on March 16, 1963.
Wolves beat fierce rivals West Bromwich Albion 7-0, "an event that ensured his love of old gold for almost half a century," said James, who inherited his father's love of the club.
In a tribute, which was published in the Wolves matchday programme on Saturday, he wrote: "He followed Wolves through thick and thin, from the top of the world in the 1950s to the depths of despair in the 1980s, with League Cup wins and even a Sherpa Van Trophy thrown in to help along the way."
Father and son attended their first game together on November 5, 1989 when Wolves beat West Ham 1-0.
"The highlight undoubtedly was witnessing the club win the Championship together in 2009, going home and away."
James said his rock fan father's last week was as close to perfection as was possible — having seen one of his music heroes Robert Plant play live on the Wednesday, then watching Wolves beat Manchester City three days later.
He said: "We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who was with him on the day —the stewards, the paramedics and his fellow supporters.
"Your compassion and care means so much to us and makes us proud to be part of such an amazing community.
"As well as those individuals, we would like to thank the club for their fantastic support. You have really helped us through this awful time."
Plant and manager Mick McCarthy both sent condolences to the family.
The Wolves team paid tribute to the father of two at Saturday's match against Bolton Wanderers when they wore black armbands and placed a Wolves-themed wreath in front of the Stan Cullis Stand before kick-off.
