Shaw Lane remember a hero in Dan Wilkinson

DANIEL WILKINSON was fittingly honoured as the Shaw Lane players stood shoulder-to-shoulder to remember their tragic team-mate – and that tribute could be just the beginning.

The 24-year-old died on the pitch at Brighouse on September 12 after an undetected heart condition meant he had no chance of being resuscitated following his collapse.

Instead of mourning, the club’s players pulled together and took to the pitch against Romulus five days later and won it for their fallen friend. They overcame their emotions to win 2-0 on a day of heartbreak and remembrance.

A stand was named in his honour as friends and family celebrated the life of the former Hull City, North Ferriby and Scarborough defender.

Education

Now, the Daniel Wilkinson Foundation has been launched in an attempt to raise £50,000 to save lives by providing screenings for players and to assist clubs in the purchase of vital defibrillators.

That could be boosted with plans for a charity game being put into place with Gainsborough Trinity assistant manager Martin Foster keen to get the ball rolling.

Foster, a player with Tamworth and Halifax, said: “This has touched so many people. We’ve been in touch with Dean Windass, who runs the Tigers’ legends team and with the connection we think this could go far.

“Education about CPR is incredibly important. The stats are scary if aid isn’t given within the first minute. We need to create awareness and show how easy it is to do. The only way we are going to save lives is if we change what we’re doing.

“We need to keep people as safe as we can and screening is the starting point.”