Widow joins Wolves crowd to remember Germanwings disaster victim

Widow Sharon led the tributes to the Alps plane crash victim, laying flowers in front of the Steve Bull Stand where he was a season ticket holder.

Supporters from Wolves and opponents Leeds also came together for an emotional minute's applause at the first home game since the crash.

Speaking publicly for the first time since her husband was killed, Mrs Matthews described him as a 'very proud, loving, supportive father'.

She revealed the couple were planning a holiday in Barcelona, which should have happened last week.

Mrs Matthews was joined by Wolves captain Danny Batth and Leeds captain Liam Cooper as well as supporters from both clubs.

She was flanked by son Nathan and daughter Jade as she made her way onto the pitch to thunderous applause from all four sides of the stadium.

The two captains laid flowers, as did supporters representing Wolves and Leeds.

The family waved to people in the Steve Bull stand where Mr Matthews had a season ticket, and then looked down at the flowers while fans and players continued to applaud them.

Players wore black armbands to remember the 50-year-old, an avid Wolves fan for many years who worked at HUF UK in Tipton and lived in Bushbury.

He was among three Britons killed in the disaster and was only on the plane as he couldn't get a direct flight home.

Poignantly, Leeds fans also remembered two lost supporters.

The game came a day after the 15th anniversary of the deaths of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, who were stabbed by a Turkish man ahead of Leeds' UEFA Cup clash with Galatasaray in April 2000.

In the matchday programme, Sharon thanked everyone for their support and described how the couple met at a Scout fair when she was selling strawberry tarts.

She also said she was comforted by seeing her husband's resting place after visiting the scene of the crash.

She said: "Martyn did not like fuss, he just loved his family, scenery and the wild outdoors. He has ended up being involved in one of the biggest of tragedies, one that has touched so many people.

"But, if you saw where he is resting, you would feel the comfort and peace that we did.

"Knowing he is in rugged, beautiful scenery, the kind that he loved so much, helps a little."

Further tributes came from his son Nathan, 23, who said he had lost his best friend. And daughter Jade, 20, called her father 'my protector'.

It was yesterday revealed that co-pilot Andreas Lubitz was consulting at least five doctors before he deliberately crashed the plane, killing all 150 people on board. German media reported the 27-year-old was seeing psychiatric specialists and a neurologist.

In a statement, Wolves said: "Wolves would like to thank Leeds United Football Club – players and fans – for their support in putting together the tribute to Martyn.

"Sharon and all the family would also like to thank all Wolves fans for their messages of support, which have been a huge comfort to all Martyn's loved ones.

"Wolves would like to, once again, extend their deepest and sincerest condolences to Martyn's wife, Sharon, and their two grown-up children, Jade and Nathan, and all the family."

The club has previously lowered its flags to half mast in tribute.

Mr Matthews was travelling to a meeting in Germany and had been on business in Barcelona. Tributes have poured in since his death, with the victim being hailed as a 'gentle man with a big sense of humour'. His brother-in-law has previously said their normal family life had been 'shattered'.

Mr Matthews was a former Scout leader with the 4th Wednesfield Scout Group.

A fund set up by fellow Wolves fan Craig Alcock has now passed its £1,000 target, reaching £1,100.

Mr Alcock started the online campaign, at www.gofundme.com/py6pe4, to support the victim's family.

More than £100,000 has been raised for charity in memory of Mr Speight and Mr Loftus, who were also remembered with a minute's silence ahead of Leeds game against Blackburn on Saturday.

Ali Umit Demur was jailed for 15 years for their deaths, while four other men were also jailed for their part in the attack.