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JOHN Schofield with his trophy-winning Bollington United under-nines side.
Memories of ‘Kingpin’
James Crisp14/ 3/2007
YOUTH football mentor and coach John Schofield - "The Kingpin" of Bollington United - was tragically killed after his car ploughed into a tree.
Granddad and dad-of-three sons John, 50, known as "Schoey" to his friends, was driving alone in his Skoda Marina along Street Lane in Adlington - an unlit narrow country lane - at 10.30pm on Sunday night when the accident happened.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Tributes were this week pouring in for a man who made his mark in the Bollington community and who was respected and held in high esteem by young soccer hopefuls and their families alike.
John, a wagon driver for Adlington hauliers F Swains and Sons, was a trophy-chasing youth football manager, coach and fundraiser, who simply lived for football and dedicated all his spare time to the kids he trained and led to continued victory.
Police this week were appealing for witnesses to come forward. A post-mortem will be held today (Wednesday) and an inquest into John's death will be opened.
His widow, Janice - from whom he had parted - and his family, who live on Barnfield Road, were too devastated to talk about their loss.
John, who lived on Palmerston Street at the time of his death, had resided in Bollington for the last 20 years. He drove a 44-ton articulated lorry for his bosses, led his under-nines side to triumph in the Stockport Metropolitan Junior Football League in 1995/96 before taking the same side to the under-tens title the next year.
Adam Chadwick, whose son Daniel was coached by John from the age of seven and who now plays for Congleton Town, was heartbroken by the loss of one of his closest friends.
He said: "John was one of the most considerate men you could ever hope to meet. He absolutely loved the game and was fantastic with the kids.
"Whenever he went to a match he was always trying to get a word with a manager or a coach trying to get his players a trial!
"And some have gone on professionally like Chris Holroyd who starts regularly for Chester's first team."
After a short recent break John returned to Bollington United to help coach the under 15s and under 16s.
The friendly and outgoing Manchester United fan was also a key player in the refurbishment of the team's Atax ground and was involved in fundraising to replace the clubhouse - which was destroyed by vandals.
Sarah Chadwick, Adam's wife, said: ""He was the absolute kingpin there - he did so much. He used to organise European tours to places like Barcelona. The side went unbeaten on that tour.
"He'd get the coaches and accommodation sorted out and go over with the children.
"I honestly can't see how the club can ever replace him."
Bollington United secretary Nick Woods added: "The strange thing if you like was that none of John's children actually played for the club and yet he still put in so much work."
Transport manager Paul Kirk worked with John in Adlington for the last two years.
He said: "I'd known him for about 30 years through the haulage industry.
"He was a very good friend of mine - not to mention one of the best drivers I have ever had.
"But he lived and breathed football. You don't get a lot of spare time in this business but John was always involved with the youth teams - and he was great with kids. It's a very sad day and everyone here is extremely upset. He will be deeply missed."
- IF you witnessed the crash call Cheshire Police on 0845 4580000 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
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14/03/2007 at 22:45
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