The tragic passing of 19-year-old Slough Town defender Christian Rowe has shocked the non-league football community in Berkshire and beyond.
Rowe was on-loan at Isthmian League Binfield FC and had played for the club in a County Cup match at Long Crendon this week.
Slough Town – who Rowe had played nine games for the Rebels under 23 side – released a statement on the clubs website: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce the tragic passing of Christian Rowe in a road traffic accident.
“This news has left everyone involved with Academy23, Slough Town FC and Binfield FC devastated and heartbroken. Both clubs’ first team and U23 fixtures due to take place this weekend have been postponed.
“Christian was regarded as one of Slough Town’s most promising young players, and this season had been a standout performer for the U23s and been involved in the first team squad.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Christian’s parents, family, friends, and teammates.
“We ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy at this incredibly difficult time.”
Binfield, where the defender was playing regularly for the first team, have also released a statement: “It is with a heavy heart that we write to all our football Friends, Players, Managers, Members and Volunteers to share the devastating news that one of our current 1st Team players, Christian Rowe, has sadly passed away whilst travelling home after our Berks & Bucks County Cup fixture on Wednesday evening this week.
“Christian had only recently joined up with our 1st Team and represented the club 5 times. He was a hugely talented player and quickly earned the respect of his fellow players, fans and our Management Team here at Binfield FC.
“We were grateful to his home club Slough Town FC, who loaned Christian until the end of the season so that he could get experience playing with our talented 1st Team squad. Impressing all at Slough Town, his club were keen to maximise his development by encouraging this talented young player to get some quality game time in a senior playing environment before they themselves introduced him into their own senior side at a higher level.
“A 19-year-old young man, Christian had quickly established himself as an extremely popular and capable member of our 1st Team here at Binfield FC. We are all devastated by the news of his passing and we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Christian’s family, friends, Slough Town FC and all that knew him. A wonderful talent and popular young man, we will always hold a special memory of Christian here at Binfield FC.
“As a mark of respect, we have postponed our next Isthmian league fixture against Staines Town on Saturday 22nd January 2022 and we will be holding a minutes silence for Christian at all our youth fixtures this coming weekend including our soccer school on Sunday morning with our Reception and Infant Soccer School players.
“Our thoughts are with all of Christian’s family and loved ones at this difficult and hugely painful time. Sending you all our love and thoughts. Binfield Football Club.”
The youngster had also played for Havant & Waterlooville in the Vanarama National League South before linking up with Slough and messages of condolence have been shared from clubs including Leyton Orient, Oxford City, Eastbourne Borough and another of the player’s former clubs Alresford Town.
Slough MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi also offered his condolences.
