Adams joins the mourners for Blues’ Philo (From Bucks Free Press)

Adams joins the mourners for Blues’ Philo

9:10am Friday 27th January 2006

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FORMER England and Arsenal captain Tony Adams was among the mourners for Mark Philo's funeral yesterday.

Adams returned from his coaching job with FC Utrecht in Holland to pay his respects to the player he gave a league debut to when he was manager of Wanderers. He had planned to build his team around.

Adams was joined at the Church of the Holy Ghost in Crowthorne by 400 mourners.

They included all of the Wanderers squad and the youth team.

Past players Steve Guppy, Darren Currie, Jermaine McSporran, Tony Craig, Gus Uhlenbeek and Philo's cousin Nathan Tyson were also there.

Philo died in a two-car crash in Finchampstead on Saturday, January 14. Patricia Gammon, 58, who was driving the other car, also died.

He played just 19 times for Blues after being beset by injuries including two broken ankles.

Wanderers boss John Gorman said: "He was a fantastic kid who lived for his football. It is an unbelievable tragedy. He was our player and we loved him."

Supporters will now get their chance to pay their respects on Sunday when the club hold a memorial service.

The hour-long service, starting at 2pm in the club's Dreams Stand will be conducted by club chaplain John Roberts.

The public service will include hymns, tributes from players and the management and will also involve the handing over of Philo's kit from the club to his family.

Philo's family have requested that no flowers be sent to the club. Instead they have asked for donations which they will then pass on to a sporting charity when they have decided which one is most suitable. Cheques should be made out to Mr PW Philo or Mrs CL Philo.

There will also be a minute's silence before tomorrow's home match against Stockport County (ko 3pm). That follows the emotional minute's silence before last Saturday's 0-0 draw at Barnet where several of the players were in tears. Wanderers are holding another minute's silence tomorrow because it is their first home game since the tragedy.

And there will be total shutdown at the club for the silence. The turnstiles and the tea bars will be closed for the duration of the silence.

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