Wokingham Town FC is carrying the name of one of its former players on its shorts this season.
Billy Seymour began his footballing career with the club as an eight-year-old, before going on to play for England youth, Southampton youth, and professionally for Coventry City and Millwall.
Billy was an ambassador for the Offside Trust who talked to young players about sexual abuse in football.
Billy himself was sexually abused by former coach Bob Higgins, who was jailed for 24 years for multiple offences.
He gained national media coverage after giving evidence in the trial of the former youth football coach in 2018.
Billy died following a car crash in Sonning Common in 2019.
He was born and bred in Wokingham and attended both Nine Mile Ride junior school and Emmbrook senior school..
Friend Stephen Bowen told Wokingham Today: “Since Billy died, we have organised the Billy Seymour Charity Golf Day once a year.
“We have raised over £25,000 which has all gone to charities helping sexually abused children ,and we have also paid Wokingham Town to help with signing-on fees for young players in Billy’s name.”
“Next year we will be holding the Billy Seymour Charity Golf Day at Sonning Golf Club.”
Steve Williams, chairman of Wokingham Town FC, said: “We are honoured to have Billy’s name on our first team kit this season, and extremely grateful to Stephen for his kind donation to support our young players.”
