Cornard United pays respects after ‘dedicated’ 17-year-old player Sam Parsons dies in car crash

The sporting community has paused to pay its respects to a ‘dedicated and well-respected’ young footballer, who lost his life in a car crash.

Seventeen-year-old Sam Parsons died on Saturday evening, following a crash in Bulmer.

The incident was in Sudbury Road at 11.15pm, when a silver Ford Fiesta collided with a tree.

On Monday, Cornard United issued a tribute to Sam, describing him as a ‘stalwart’ of the club’s under-18 side, which was managed by his father, Jem.

“Our thoughts and love go out to the family at this incredibly difficult time, and the club offers its full support,” the statement read.

The club also displayed Sam’s shirt at its home ground in Blackhouse Lane on Tuesday night, and observed a minute’s silence in his honour, ahead of the first team’s fixture with Whitton United.

Cornard United chairman Tom Clark confirmed that the under-18s match scheduled for tonight has been postponed, and the club will be supporting all those affected in any way it can.

“It was obviously a huge shock to everyone,” he said. “Sam was a lovely young lad, and well-respected by everyone.”

AFC Sudbury, whose reserve team is due to play Cornard United on Tuesday, also pledged to hold a minute’s silence prior to kick off.

“Our condolences go out to everyone at the club and the local area who will be touched and effected by this awful turn of events,” read a club statement.