Dan Wilkinson is never far from Craig Elliott’s thoughts and the ex-Shaw Lane AFC manager hopes next week’s Memorial Trophy game raises awareness of sudden cardiac death in the young.
A Wombwell Town X1 – containing many of Dan’s Shaw Lane team-mates – will face Worsbrough Bridge at Wombwell Town on Monday night to raise money for the Dan Wilkinson Foundation.
Dan passed away on Monday 12th September 2016 after collapsing on the pitch during Shaw Lane’s League Cup tie at Brighouse Town.
Elliott, now manager of National North giants Boston United, regularly casts his mind back to the tragic night.
“It is one of the most difficult things I’ve had to deal with,” Elliott told Non League Yorkshire.
“You have moments when you think about it and I speak to my wife Vicki regularly about it.
“There were two things; one I went in the ambulance with Dan and saw how bad it was.
“Then the one thing that will always stick in my mind is walking across the (hospital) car park when his mum and dad were sprinting across (after driving to Halifax to Hull) and knowing that he had already passed away.
“That is something I’ll never get out of my head.
“It was horrendous and it is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. It was such a sad night.
“It should be something that never is forgotten.
“An annual match not only keeps Dan’s memory alive, but it also brings awareness (of sudden cardiac death in the young).
“We have seen what happened in the Euros, one of the world’s biggest stages.
“It is fantastic that every year we’re not only going to honour Dan’s memory, but also help save lives.
“I follow bits on social media (and see the work the foundation does) and first and foremost I think it is fantastic what they’re doing.
“I think it is vitally important work and it is important we continue to raise awareness to save lives.”
So far Stevie Istead, Joe Thornton, Alex Bryne, Spencer Harris and the twins Kelvin and Kelvin Lugsden are confirmed to be playing.
The Shaw Lane team of 2017 will always have a close bond and that proved when they won the NPL Division One South title in his memory.
“It is a year that none of us will ever forget because of Dan,” Elliott said.
“I think that is what will keep that group bonded.
“For us to go through the heartache and the emotional rollercoaster we did and win the league in his memory it was fantastic.
“It is something that will stay with us forever.”
Ex-Glasshoughton Welfare and Ossett Town boss Elliott, the greatest Yorkshire-based Non League manager of the last decade because of four promotions and two cup wins, currently manages Boston on a full-time contract.
He nearly secured his fifth promotion last year, but Boston were beaten by Altrincham in the National North play-off final.
The club have since moved into their fantastic new stadium and Elliott is enjoying his time with Boston as he nears the fourth anniversary of his appointment.
“I have a great chairman, it is a great club and we have just gone into a stadium which is good enough for League One,” he said.
“We have a big fan-base and I’ve really proud of how we have built to a position where on-and-off-the-pitch to have a team and stadium good enough to go and get promotion.
“I put pressure on myself like I always do because I want a promotion. It has been a few years (since the last one) and I’ll be trying my hardest.
“I absolutely love it here.
“We have progressed as well and I’ve shown loyalty to the club and I think we’re going into the season with the strongest squad I’ve had since I have been a manager.
“I’m really excited for the season ahead.”