TRIBUTES will be paid to a Powys man who died in a car crash last month by Shrewsbury Town footballers ahead of their Football League 1 game against Peterborough tomorrow (December 23).
Shrewsbury players will wear t-shirts during their warm-up in memory of Town fan Joe Baker, from Knighton, a Royal Navy air engineering technician, who died in a road traffic collision near Yeovil, where he was stationed, on Monday, November 27.
Joe, aged just 20, was driving a VW Polo when it collided with a Mini on Berhill, near Street, Somerset, at around 7.30am on November 27.
Joe played both football and rugby for Knighton Town and Tref-y-Clawdd, with both clubs paying tribute to him in the wake of his death.
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Shrewsbury revealed Joe was a huge Shrews fan and was friends with goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne.
“Shrewsbury's players will wear t-shirts in memory of Town fan Joe Baker when they warm up against Peterborough on Saturday,” the club said in a statement on its website.
“A huge Salop fan who followed the team both home and away, Joe tragically died in a road accident on November 27. He was just 20.
“A member of the [Royal] Navy, he was travelling to his naval base at the time.
“As well as being a big Town supporter, Joe – who was friends with Shrewsbury goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne – also played football for Knighton Town and was a keen rugby player.”
Joe joined the Royal Navy in March 2020 and joined RNAS Yeovilton in November that year, becoming an air engineering technician in September of 2021.
He was posted to 846 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) as part of Commando Helicopter Force, where he would service aircraft with the responsibility of inspecting the squadron’s Merlin helicopters prior to flying and conduct repairs and maintenance, keeping them safe and ready for operations.
Superiors and colleagues described him as an “affable and cheerful presence” on the squadron and said his death leaves behind a significant void at the squadron, and that friends and colleagues will greatly miss his character and exemplary service.
Commanding officer, Commander James Coleman, said: “Joe was a well-liked and dependable member of our squadron.
“He was a constant source of morale and he embodied the traits we exemplify within the Royal Navy.
“His passing is a huge shock to the team, he will be sadly missed.”
Ludlow-born Joe was well regarded as an all-round sportsman in his hometown, playing both football and rugby, with both Knighton clubs describing him as an “asset” as they previously paid tribute to him.
Both cancelled their respective fixtures following the news, while Tref-y-Clawdd RFC announced that they will be retiring Joe’s number 14 shirt for the remainder of this season.
Condolences came from rugby clubs near and far, including Powys neighbours Llandrindod Wells, Builth Wells and Newtown, as well as from Forgeside, Magor, Old Tyleryans, Whitchurch, Brackla, Deri, Rhigos, Bush Ironsides, West Mon, Wattstown, Pontllanfraith and Cardiff Saracens.
In football circles, tributes were sent by St Harmon, Radnor Valley, Builth Wells, Hay St Marys, Talgarth Town and Ludlow Colts Football Clubs.
A Help for Heroes fundraiser launched in the wake of Joe’s death by his family has raised nearly £6,000.
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