EVERTON football fans are being urged to pay tribute to a Runcorn dad during this weekend’s game.
The Blues will take on Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on Saturday, with supporters encouraged to keep Chris Neill in their thoughts in the 40th minute.
The crew on board Jet2.com flight LS3214 from Burgas in Bulgaria to Liverpool John Lennon Airport declared a medical emergency around two hours in on September 16.
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was diverted to Cologne, Germany, with Chris, who suffered a heart attack, passing shortly after being taken off the plane.
Now, Evertonians have been urged in a supporter group to pay their respects to the staunch Toffees fan during the game.
A post read: “Calling all Evertonians. Please could we all take a look at this and share it as much as possible for the family of Everton fan Chris Neill, and in the 40th minute, can everyone at Goodison versus Crystal Palace on Saturday give him a send-off, so his family and children will remember forever”
Chris grew up in Ellesmere Port before moving to Runcorn, and his father Mal Neill, a former Merseyside Police officer, said: “He was a staunch Everton fan and brought his children up as Everton fans.
“He was full of fun, bubbly and would do anything for anybody.
“I know people say that when someone died, but he would have. He was really liked by everyone.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Chris’ father to help bring his son’s body home, and this has already raised almost £21,500.
If you would like to donate, visit gofundme.com/f/4nd5c-help-bring-christopher-home
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here