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Emotional tributes made after club confirms death of 18 year old non league footballer

Emotional tributes have been made after Southern League club Mickleover confirms the death of an 18 year old non league footballer.

Players, volunteers, and staff at the Derbyshire outfit have been left shocked and saddened following the sudden tragedy of one of their promising young players.

Fin Bowen has been described as “a lovely young man” who always had time for “a laugh and a joke” after games.

He was an academy graduate and recently first-team goalkeeper at Mickleover before he passed away on Tuesday morning, November 8th. The club announced the “tragic” news on Twitter on Thursday, November 9th.

A spokesperson paid tribute to Fin, adding he was an “integral part” of the academy before making his first team debut nack in August after impressing between the sticks during the squad’s pre-season.

Club treasurer, Neil Hadfield, told Derbyshire Live that Fin will be missed by everyone at the club as he made a positive impression on everybody, whether they were a player, staff, coach, or volunteer. He also confirmed that the club is working with Derby County Community Trust to ensure anyone who needs support receives it, including counselling sessions.

Mr Hadfield said: “The club is devastated. Absolutely everyone at the club knew him, including myself as treasurer, and everybody who volunteers knew him. All the players knew him from academy level all the way up to first team, and all the coaches know him as they trained together.

“He’ll be greatly missed by everyone at the club. I’ve known Fin now for three years and watched him develop as a goalkeeper into the first team. But I’ve also watched him develop as a young man – he always had time to talk to you and have a laugh and a joke after the game.

“He was a lovely young man and our thoughts are with his family. We’ll give them all the support that we can, as well as the academy players that knew him.”

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Mr Hadfield added that Fin had great potential and would have had a very promising career. He said: “He was developing along a path,. and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t have gone far. During pre-season he was first-choice goalkeeper because he had a presence. There was nothing that would have stopped him.”

“Derby County Community Trust are being very very supportive, and our thanks go out to them. They came to the ground last night, and we’re doing what we can so that the players and family are getting counselling. We want to make sure they are ok in the short term and long term. With our partners at DCCT, everything should be in place.”

The club is now planning to memorialise Fin in some way, and during the club’s next Southern League Premier Central Division game against Stratford Town on November 19, 150 programs will feature a two-page report about Fin’s heroics at Mickleover FC, alongside reflections from the manager – John McGrath – and people who coached him such as Pablo Mills, the former Derby County centre-half.

A spokesperson for Derby County Football Club tweeted: “Devastating news. Fin trained with us several times last season to aid his development.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all at Mickleover. Rest in peace, Fin.”

A spokesperson from Mansfield club Clipstone FC said: “Clipstone is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of young keeper Fin Bowen. Fin, from Mickleover Sports F.C. helped us out last pre-season and got some valuable experience.”

Emotional tributes were made after the club confirms the death of the 18 year old non league footballer…

@radcliffeboro: Our thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone at Mickleover at this moment in time. Rest in peace, Fin 💙😔

@Lakinwords: Rest in Peace, Fin

@AlfretonTownFC: Devastating news. Everybody at Alfreton Town would like to pass on their best wishes to Fin’s family and friends at this difficult time. 🕊️❤️

@Papapix: So sorry to hear this news, thoughts are with everyone at this sad time…

@superrammy: So sorry to hear this dreadfully sad news 🥲

@BedfordTown: Heart-breaking news 💙 From all at Bedford Town Football Club, please accept our condolences at this difficult time 🙏

@Matlock_TownFC: Our thoughts and love go out to Fin’s family, friends and everybody at @Mickleover_FC at this most difficult of times 💙🤍

@hayleyt23468157: So sorry to hear this – our thoughts are with his family and friends 🙏 x

@j0sephmcc0rmack: Heartbreaking news. Really sorry to hear this. Thoughts and condolences with Fin’s family and friends 🤍

@colesey_: Tragic news, thoughts with his family friends and all involved with your club ❤️

@zebes86: Sorry to hear this terrible news. Thoughts and prays to his family and friends 🖤🤍

@AFCRD: Devastating news. Everybody at AFC Rushden & Diamonds would like to pass on their best wishes to Fin’s family and friends at this difficult time. ❤️

@75Gladiators: sad news, RIP, condolences to his family and friends and all at Mickleover FC at this time, in our thoughts and prayers

@MhmfcAdults: So sorry to hear this news, everyone at Mills would like to pass on their best wishes to Fin’s family and friends.

@ROFCOfficial: We are shocked and saddened by such devastating news. We send our love and strength to Fin’s family, friends and all at your great club. Rest in eternal peace, Fin 🙏 💛🖤 #ROFC

@FcLinby: Tragic news. Please pass our condolences onto his family , friends and everyone at Mickleover 💔

@mattharvey07: Awful news. Love to everyone at the club and Fin’s family. Look after each other. ❤️

@RedditchUtd: All of us at Redditch United would like to send our sincere condolences to everyone at Mickleover and whoever had the pleasure of knowing Fin. We, unfortunately, know the tragic feeling all too well after losing Tom Rankin last year. Rest in ever peace Fin ❤️

@Steaky82: Poor poor lad. Rest in peace Fin and a credit too the football club. Thoughts go out too everyone who knew him

@simonrabone: Heart breaking news. My son trained with Fin over the years. A class goalkeeper. Thoughts with his family, friends and all at @Mickleover_FC RIP

@carlmassey_carl: Gutted, my son trained with Finn from an early age numerous times a week at their goalkeeper sessions. They always got on really well, he was a lovely lad. Thoughts are with Finns family.

@LancasterCityFC: We are sorry to hear this terrible news. Our thoughts and prayers of everyone at Lancaster City are with Fin’s family, friends and everyone at Mickleover FC at this time

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