A family have been left with ‘no answers’ after a nine-year-old boy unexpectedly died on his way back from a holiday.
Freddie Pritchard suddenly died ‘completely out of the blue’ last Saturday (14 September) following a ‘lovely family holiday’.
The circumstances surrounding his death have not yet been confirmed with no cause of death given. An inquest is expected to open which will hopefully give his heartbroken family some answers.
The little lad was absolutely football-mad and his teammates at Gresford Athletic under 10s in Wrexham, North Wales, held a minute’s silence in his memory this weekend alongside all of the club's teams.
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And in honour of his number 14 shirt, there was also a minute’s applause in the 14th minute of the under 10s match.
His devastated mum, Cerys Pritchard, said: "My beautiful baby boy Freddie gained his angel wings. It was completely out of the blue and a huge shock to not only us but extended family and all of Freddie’s friends.
"To be travelling home after an amazing family holiday to never actually arriving home with him is the worst feeling in the world."
The youngster was described as ‘a beautiful, caring boy who is known and loved by so many people’.
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Cerys added: "He is our world and we are going to miss him so much as are so many others.
"Freddie is a huge football fan and followed Liverpool FC and Wrexham but just loved football in general and had many international / European kits."
From the day he was born, the lad was ‘attending and supporting’ his big brother at football and ‘loved the fact he was following in his footsteps’.
"Freddie will always be with us and cheering his favourite teams and team mates on at every game," his mum added. "Sleep tight our little angel. We love you so much. As a family we’d like to thank everyone for their love and support."
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Coach Matt Williams at Gresford Athletic Football Club said: "As a coaching team, we have worked with Freddie since the age of six when he began his footballing journey with GAJFC.
"We have seen Freddie blossom as a player, teammate and a lovely person. Freddie was a well-loved member of the team and was developing into a good footballer with a fierce left foot, who scored lots of goals for us.
"The coaches, players and parents will all miss Freddie dearly, but he will always be with us in our hearts and he won't be forgotten."
And his headteacher, Richard Hatwood, at All Saints School said: "Our school and wider community has been devastated this week by the tragic passing of one of our Year 5 pupils, Freddie Pritchard.
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"Never without a smile, Freddie was everything and more we could wish for in a pupil of our school. A happy, polite and courteous boy who was friends with pupils across the school, both young and old."
The school is set to close on the day of the little lad’s funeral once a date is given.
Hatwood added: "I could not be more proud of each and every member of our school community. The love, care and support shown this week has supported us all in navigating this very, very difficult period."
Topics: UK News
Jess Battison