Game off following sad death of Ray Jones

Last updated : 25 August 2007 By Tony Scholes
Initially that was the only news, but shortly afterwards it was confirmed that the player was 18-year-old forward Ray Jones, killed in the early hours of the morning in a road accident just three days before his 19th birthday.

The initial annoyance that a game we'd been looking forward to had been called off soon disappeared, there really are more important things than football and the phrase 'it is only a game' has never been more apt than during this week.

On Monday we learned of the death of Walsall apprentice Anton Reid, a 16-year-old who collapsed whilst training. Then came the shocking news of the shooting of young 11-year-old Everton fan Rhys Jones, news that has stunned the entire country.

Today QPR are in mourning following the death of their young player. Jones broke into their side two seasons ago and last season made 35 appearances. He was thought to have a very bright future in the game and had already been capped by England at Under-19 level. Only injury kept him out of today's squad.

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone at QPR at this sad time, and particularly with Ray Jones' family and friends.