Do any of you remember this ?

Banging_Them_In · Post by **Banging_Them_In** » 24 Jul 2013, 17:15

After the recent charging of a man for killing PC Keith Blakelock at the Broadwater Farm estate riots in 1985, I decided to look up other instances of coppers killed whilst on duty and came upon the case in 1977, when PC Christopher Francis Wilson (Devon & Cornwall Police) 'contracted fatal illness when spat on during a football disturbance'.

I can not find any other details regarding this true, sad and strange incident, and was wondering if any of you know about this or can remember it. That is, did it happen in Torquay, Exeter or Plymouth ?

cheers

ferrarilover · Post by **ferrarilover** » 24 Jul 2013, 18:18

Coppers get moved all over the place for big events. It could have been the FA Cup final, Man Utd v Leeds, Millwall v Chelsea, almost anything. No saying it wasn't a local game, just that it's no certainty.

Matt.

Banging_Them_In · Post by **Banging_Them_In** » 24 Jul 2013, 18:54

...fair point Matt

CP Gull · Post by **CP Gull** » 24 Jul 2013, 20:27

I do have a vague recollection of this and yes, tragically, it was thought most likely that he did contract this terrible disease whilst working as a PC after being spat upon at a TUFC game at Plainmoor. As far as I am aware, they could never be certain that this was the case and certainly no criminal charges were brought against any individual who may himself, of course, been totally unaware that he was carrying the virus.

ferrarilover · Post by **ferrarilover** » 24 Jul 2013, 20:58

Which illness is involved?

Matt.

CP Gull · Post by **CP Gull** » 24 Jul 2013, 21:15

Meningitis, if memory serves me right.

hector · Post by **hector** » 24 Jul 2013, 21:40

CP Gull wrote:I do have a vague recollection of this and yes, tragically, it was thought most likely that he did contract this terrible disease whilst working as a PC after being spat upon at a TUFC game at Plainmoor. As far as I am aware, they could never be certain that this was the case and certainly no criminal charges were brought against any individual who may himself, of course, been totally unaware that he was carrying the virus.

I have a vague recollection of this story too, although it was before my time as a fan.

Behind-the-Gulls · Post by **Behind-the-Gulls** » 25 Jul 2013, 11:05

Think it was Cardiff City thugs involved when they were in the rampage in Torquay?

Banging_Them_In · Post by **Banging_Them_In** » 25 Jul 2013, 15:03

Played the Blue Birds three times in the league cup in 1977 :
This 1st game must be the one with the aggro and the coppers death.....

1st leg : 13 Aug 1977 Torquay United v Cardiff City 1-0 League Cup

2nd leg : 17 Aug 1977 Cardiff City v Torquay United 3-2 League Cup

Unfortunatly 'away goals rule' wasn't employed, so a single replay and at Cardiff it seems, where we get beat 2-1
Replay:

Replay : 24 Aug 1977 Cardiff City v Torquay United 2-1 League Cup

RobS · Post by **RobS** » 13 Mar 2018, 20:26

It was at Plainmoor. Torquay versus Cardiff City and a Cardiff fan spat at the policeman

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