04/05/2026
Powerful words from board member and James’ mum Sarah Plumridge.
For those that didn’t get a chance to hear the speech, here it is…
“Today, we come together with heavy hearts, but also with deep gratitude and purpose.
On behalf of our family, thank you all for being here to support this memorial match in honour of our son, James. Your presence means more to us than words can fully express. What began as unimaginable loss has brought us to this moment of unity, remembrance, and hope.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the board members who helped bring this event to life, and to our special visitors who took the time to join us today. Your support has meant a great deal.
To Westfields FC, thank you for hosting this match and providing such a meaningful space for us to gather, remember, and reflect. Your kindness and generosity will never be forgotten.
A special thank you to Craig from JAMO for his relentless efforts to spread the “break the silence” message. It is truly humbling to look around the ground today and see so many JAMO-branded tops—each one a sign of support, awareness, and a shared commitment to keeping this conversation going.
To the vendors, sponsors, and those who donated raffle prizes—thank you for your contributions and for standing behind this cause. Your support has helped turn this event into something truly impactful.
And to every single spectator here today—whether you knew James personally or simply came to show your support—thank you. Your presence reminds us that we are not alone, and that together, we can make a difference.
The love and support we have felt from the football community has helped us grieve in ways we cannot fully put into words. It has reminded us of the strength of community, and the power of people coming together in the most difficult of times.
Today, we also stand with the families of Matty and Jordan—we are part of a club that none of us ever wanted to be members of. You are in our thoughts, and we stand beside you in remembrance, in support, and in strength.
The reason we are here today goes beyond football. This event is about raising awareness of mental health, about breaking the silence that so often surrounds it, and about getting Herefordshire talking. Because too often, struggles go unseen, words go unspoken, and people feel they have nowhere to turn.
If we can take anything forward from today, let it be this: we must create a world where it is okay to speak up, where asking for help is seen as strength, not weakness, and where no one feels they have to suffer in silence.
And finally, to all parents, families, and loved ones—please, make sure you teach those you care about how to ask for help, and just as importantly, how to accept it. Those conversations, those moments of openness, can save lives.
Thank you again for being here, for remembering James, and for standing with us in this mission. We truly hope to make this an annual event, so we can continue raising awareness, bringing people together, and keeping this conversation going.
Let’s continue to support one another, to talk, and to listen.”
Credit to Carl Squin Haffenden for capturing this important heartfelt message 💙🩵💙
