- Ankers played for Wycombe’s Foundation Under-19s team last week
- The 17-year-old died in hospital after ‘feeling ill’ during the match
- Wycombe manager Matt Bloomfield led tributes to the aspiring footballer
Wycombe Wanderers have paid tribute to a 17-year-old footballer who died after ‘feeling ill’ during a match last week.
Adam Ankers played for Wycombe’s Foundation Under-19s team and died in hospital on Monday. As well as being an aspiring player, he was a keen supporter of the League One club.
Chairboys manager Matt Bloomfield said he was ‘deeply shocked’ when he heard the tragic news and the club is planning a tribute to the teenager during the home game against Oxford United on February 17.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Adam’s father Alastair wrote: ‘Yesterday we lost my son Adam who passed away after playing football, the sport he loved.
“We love him so much and the loss is devastating. He will always be with us and never forgotten.’
Wycombe Wanderers have paid tribute to aspiring footballer Adam Ankers, 17, who died after falling ‘ill’ while playing for their Foundation Under-19 side last week
The League One club are planning a tribute to the teenager at an upcoming match at Adams Park
Chariboys coach Matt Bloomfield led the tributes and said the club was ‘devastated’
Adam attended every home game at Wycombe with his family and also played for the club
The club said Adam attended every home match at Adams Park with his father, brother and sister.
Bloomfield said: “I was deeply shocked to hear the news that Adam fell ill last week while playing the game he loves, and he has been in our thoughts ever since as we hoped and prayed for his recovery.
“We are all extremely saddened to hear that he has not come through and our deepest condolences go out to his friends, teammates and family at this terrible time.”
Mark Gaitskell, chief executive of the Wycombe Wanderers Foundation, said: “This has been an extremely distressing time for everyone involved with the Foundation as we mourn the tragic death of a talented, popular and much-loved young man.
“The news of his passing on Monday has hit everyone hard and we are gathering our thoughts on how best to pay tribute to Adam and create a legacy in his name in due course.
‘For now, we send our love, warmth and deepest condolences to his family and friends, and offer the full support of everyone at Wycombe Wanderers in whatever we can do to help or comfort at this incredibly difficult time.’