Rhys Jones- YNWA

[el-capitano]

I don't know if many remember the name Rhys Jones........

Liverpool Football Club will tonight pay Rhys Jones the ultimate tribute by playing his beloved Everton anthem at Anfield before the clash with Toulouse.

The Z-Cars theme tune 'Johnny Todd' - the song which traditionally greets the arrival of the Everton team onto the Goodison Park pitch - will be played prior to 'You'll Never Walk Alone' ahead of this evening's 8.05pm kick-off.

After the two songs there will then be a minute's applause and the Liverpool players will show their respect by wearing black armbands during the game.

Rhys's parents Stephen and Melanie will also be at Anfield for the game.

The youngster's uncle Neil Jones admits the family have been overwhelmed by such a show of support from the Blues' city rivals.

He said: "When I told them about the proposed tribute at Anfield, Melanie said playing Johnny Todd at Anfield would be a unique event, a complete one-off, just like Rhys, and a fitting tribute to him as it was his favourite tune.

"She's also pretty sure he'll have a little mischievous grin on his face at the thought of being the cause of it."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/archivedirs/news/2007/aug/28/N156815070828-0944.htm

[el-capitano]

Well, his family received some justice this week.

A teenage gang member has been jailed for life for murdering a schoolboy caught in the crossfire of a dispute between gangs.

Sean Mercer, 18, will serve a minimum of 22 years for firing three bullets across a pub car park, one of which hit 11-year-old Rhys Jones in the neck on August 22, 2007 as he cycled home from football training in Liverpool, northwest England.

The boy died hours later in his mother's arms, in an incident that prompted widespread media soul-searching about the pervasiveness of gang culture and guns.

"It is wrong to let anyone glorify or romanticise this kind of gang conflict," Judge Stephen Irwin told Mercer while sentencing him.

"You are not soldiers. You have no discipline, no training, no honour. You do not command respect".

Irwin described the gang as "selfish, shallow criminals, remarkable only by the danger you pose to others".

"(Rhys Jones) died because of your brutality and because you are a coward.

Six other gang members, aged between 16 and 26, were also convicted of assisting Mercer, after helping him evade police custody for months.

Jones's mother Melanie broke down in the court as Mercer's verdict was read out, while his father Stephen choked back tears.

"Finally justice has been done for Rhys," Stephen Jones said after the verdict was read.

He added: "For the family today this is not the final chapter in this tragedy but now at least we can begin the challenge of rebuilding our lives."

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/you-have-no-discipline-no-training-no-honour/2008/12/17/1229189650824.html

[el-capitano]

Red or blue- Rhys- YNWA! :(

[Twenty26Six]

I've seen the Z-Cars tribute more than once. Touching stuff. Life is always more important than football.

YNWA, Rhys!

[Twenty26Six]

I've seen the Z-Cars tribute more than once. Touching stuff. Life is always more important than football.

YNWA, Rhys!

The brother looks so nervous at first... and then the crowd cheers. :)
aldQWgaxHOM

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Good to hear that his family will get a little bit of closure.

Even in a city and supporters that are split by colors and teams, it shows that life takes first chair ahead of sport.

YNWA Rhys!

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

It's also good to see that others were punished for the wrong-doings, as it wasn't the actions of one that caused the death of Rhys, but the actions of a half-dozen.

[Grinners89]

Red or blue- Rhys- YNWA! :(

Spot on.

[liverbird]

Red or blue- Rhys- YNWA! :(

Indeed

[never walk alone TPK]

YNWA Rhys

[sarabella]

Nice thread guys. And I thought the tribute you guys did at Anfield was class.

[usscouse]

I hate to sound bitter but Rhys will never kick a football again or hug his mum, while those 'Bastards' are still alive and feeling like.... Ahggg!!!!

RIP Rhys, YNWA. 'Johnny Todd' was a old sea chanty, a good send off.