Founder of football club found dead in alley

Source: News Guardian

Published Date:
23 April 2008
By ANTHONY McLEAN

A FOUNDING member of a football club set up after Malcolm Glazer's hostile takeover of Manchester United has died after an accident in Whitley Bay.
Fred Garner, 29, was found with serious head injuries in an alleyway to the rear of the Rex Hotel just after 5am on Sunday, April 20.

Mr Garner, originally from the Manchester area, was taken to North Tyneside General Hospital for treatment before being transferred to Newcastle General Hospital.

He was pronounced dead on the evening of Monday, April 21.

Mr Garner was a founding member of FC United of Manchester, created in 2005 by football fans unhappy with Malcolm Glazer's takeover of Manchester United.

The season ticket holder was in the region to see FC United's 4-0 win against Newcastle Blue Star at Kingston Park on Saturday.

FC United held a minute silence before their game against Woodley Sports on Wednesday evening in commemoration of Mr Garner's death.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "Police were called to the Rex Hotel at just after 5am on Sunday, April 20, after a 29-year-old man was found with a head injury.

"The man, who is not from the local area, was taken to North Tyneside General Hospital before being transferred to Newcastle General Hospital.

"He was pronounced dead on the evening of Monday, April 21.

"A file is being prepared for the coroner."

The death is not being treated as suspicious.