Youth football teams across Britain have paid tribute to a ten-year-old girl killed when a car ploughed onto a sports pitch with a minute’s silence held at matches.
Poppy Atkinson died on Wednesday night when a black BMW i4 smashed through a fence where she was training at Kendal Rugby Union Football Club in Cumbria.
Team Grassroots, a South Shields-based football organisation, encouraged youth and local teams across the UK to take part in their campaign, dubbed #1Minute4Poppy.
The team said on social media: ‘This weekend we encourage all teams to observe a moments silence before your games and please have Poppy, and her family in your thoughts.
‘Send in your pictures and we will flood social media with your messages of support. No child should ever go to training and not return home.’
Several teams have joined the tribute – including Essex County Girls Football League, Sussex County FA and Notts County FA, encouraging their members to observe a minute’s silence.
Poppy was also honoured by Manchester United Women captain Maya Le Tissier during yesterday’s FA Cup quarter-finals against Sunderland.
After scoring their first goal, Le Tissier ran over to the sidelines to hold up a shirt with the 10-year-old’s name on it in memory of the youngster, who dreamed of playing for Manchester United.
Youth football teams from all over the nation, including Chorley FC Women (pictured), have held a minute’s silence to honour the ‘beautiful’ ten-year-old girl killed when a driver ploughed into a sports pitch
Team Grassroots, a South Shields-based football organisation, kicked off the tribute this weekend and encouraged youth and local teams across the country to take part in their campaign, dubbed #1Minute4Poppy
Several teams have joined the tribute – including Essex County Girls Football League, Sussex County FA, Notts County FA and Penrith AFC (pictured)
Poppy was also honoured by M anchester United Women captain Maya Le Tissier during yesterday’s FA Cup quarter-finals against Sunderland
After scoring their first goal, Le Tissier ran over to the sidelines to hold up a shirt with the 10-year-old’s name on it in memory of the youngster, who dreamed of playing for Manchester United
It comes after the Lionesses, who Poppy idolised, paid tribute to the football-loving girl after her tragic death last week.
Leading tributes was Lioness captain Leah Williamson, who also plays for Women’s Super League club Arsenal.
Taking to Instagram, she said on Thursday: ‘Such tragic tragic news! My thoughts are with the family, friends and teammates. I can’t begin to imagine your loss. RIP Poppy’.
Her tributes were followed by her heroes Ella Toone and Georgia Stanway, who said the ‘little Lioness’ would ‘always play a special role in the football world’.
Following the tragedy, the driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
The 40-year-old man from Lancaster has been released under investigation.
‘Investigative enquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances of this incident,’ they said in a statement.
An eight-year-old girl from Kendal was also rushed to hospital for treatment but her injuries are not life-threatening, Cumbria Police said.
Leah Williamson, who plays for Manchester United Women, lead the tributes
‘Heartbroken’ Lioness Ella Toone, who little Poppy ‘idolised’ paid tribute last night
Lioness Georgia Stanway said Poppy would ‘always play a special role in the football world’ as she paid tribute last night
Police investigate after a car crashed through a fence at Kendal Rugby Union Football Club
The ‘devastated’ Lionesses today posted a tribute to aspiring professional footballer Poppy on their official X page
It is understood a Kendal United Football Club training session was taking place at the time of the tragedy.
Cumbria Police had said there was ‘no indication to suggest the incident was a deliberate act’.
Poppy was described by her family as the ‘focal point of our lives’ in an emotional tribute as she was named for the first time today.
The young girl dreamed of becoming a footballer for Manchester United and idolised some of the club’s biggest stars, across the men’s and women’s teams.
In an touching tribute, Poppy’s family said: ‘Poppy was the focal point of our lives, everything for us revolved around Poppy’s love for football.
‘Poppy touched so many lives, it was easy to see why, her energy, character, spirit and passion for football was infectious and touched huge numbers of people.
‘Poppy was 100 per cent determined to be a professional footballer. Many who know her, and who know her determination to improve and win, had no doubt she would achieve her goal to one day to play for Manchester United.
‘Poppy idolised Ella Toone, Georgia Stanway, Mainoo and Messi to name a few. Poppy was a small, petite and beautiful 10-year-old, yet she played up an age group and proudly represented the Kendal United and county U-12 teams.
Poppy Atkinson (pictured), from Kendal, was killed after being struck by the car on a sports pitch at Kendal Rugby Union Football Club
Flowers are left for the child who died after being hit by a car that drove onto the pitch
Police cars and ambulances are pictured at the rugby club last night
Poppy is pictured with her seven-year-old brother Edward Atkinson who ‘worshipped the ground Poppy walked on’
The scene has been cordoned off as officers examine the area
‘Poppy earned her place through her determination and her technical mastery on the pitch, her skill was envied by most that she played with and against.
‘Poppy was sister to seven-year-old Edward. Edward worshipped the ground Poppy walked on, he only ever wanted to be like her. Poppy would coach and support Edward with his football, it was so beautiful to see.
‘The hole in our lives and so many around us that Poppy leaves is enormous, we will never be whole again. This world has lost a spirit like no other, she was a force of nature. She was so special, she was too good for this world.’
A photo from the scene shows a black car resting on the all-weather sports pitch next to a net, with balls scattered on the green marked out with small cones for practice.
Tim Easter, 34, said: ‘I drive past earlier and saw a first responder ambulance on the pitch and two bigger ambulances in the car park.
‘There were loads of police vehicles and people milling around.’
James Pattison, CEO of Westmorland County FA, said: ‘We fully support the minute’s silence for Poppy Atkinson this weekend, and have asked it is held before all of our County Cup semi-finals happening over the weekend.’
‘As a County FA, we have been working closely with all of our member clubs to provide support and advice where necessary, and will continue to do so, following the tragic events of Wednesday evening.’
Leah Williamson, pictured, who plays for Women’s Super League club Arsenal and captains the England women’s national team, has also joined in the tributes to Poppy
Manchester United said in a statement on Thursday: ‘On behalf of Ella, Kobbie and everyone at Manchester United, we send our heartfelt condolences to Poppy’s family and friends for their devastating loss.
‘Rest in peace Poppy.’
Kendal Rugby Club’s chairman Dr Stephen Green previously said: ‘We are deeply saddened to confirm that an incident occurred today at Kendal Rugby Club, resulting in a tragic loss of a child’s life.
‘Our thoughts are with their family and friends and we kindly ask for privacy for all involved at this difficult time.
‘We are cooperating fully with the authorities as they conduct their investigation – the Club and all facilities are temporarily closed while this is carried out.’
