http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.u...HEAD-BIN/article-3335780-detail/article.html? FOOTBALL fan John Taylor died after appearing to head a rubbish bin thrown by another supporter during a Premier League match at the Britannia Stadium. Witnesses told how the Blackburn Rovers fan moved towards the bin as if he was about to 'head a ball' in the concourse of the away end on February 6, 2010. The 30-year-old was knocked unconscious at the start of the second half of last season's match between Stoke and Blackburn and died in hospital later. Following the death, Stoke City replaced their plastic free-standing bins with wheelie bins kept secure inside enclosed containers, and now only serve drinks in lightweight plastic cups. But lawyers representing Mr Taylor's family want to know why the bin was not already permanently secured to the ground and why there were no stewards or police officers in the concourse at the time of the incident. An inquest at Hanley Town Hall yesterday heard how bricklayer Mr Taylor, who lived near Blackburn, had drunk five or six cans of lager and two double Southern Comforts and taken some cocaine before arriving at the ground. He drank more beer at the stadium. Friend Barry Devitt told the inquest that the atmosphere in the concourse during half time had become rowdy with Blackburn fans singing, jumping up and down and limbo dancing. Stoke City official Jack Hopley had closed the bar a few minutes into half time because fans were being boisterous and bottles were being thrown. Mr Devitt said: "It was like being in a mosh pit at a rock concert." CCTV footage showed fans throwing the large black plastic bin around before the object struck Mr Taylor on the head. The exact weight of the bin is not known. Blackburn fan Carl Ainscough said he had kicked the bin away at one point and been surprised by its weight. He said: "John seemed to move towards the bin. He didn't seem to try to protect himself from it. "As soon as his head hit the bin, his legs seemed to go completely as if the bin had knocked him out." Fellow fan David Hickey said: "I saw him move to head the bin. In my opinion had he wanted to catch the bin, knock it out of the way or stoop to avoid it, he could have done." Fan Mark Hitchen, who filmed the incident on his mobile phone, said: "He leant forward as if he was heading a ball. Once the contact was made it was immediately clear he was unconscious as he didn't put his hands out to break his fall." Mr Hitchen told the inquest that he ran to get a steward, because he could not see any. Mr Taylor's family's lawyer Andrew Bridgman asked him: "When bottles started being thrown around was there any movement from the stewards?" Mr Hitchen replied: "Not that I could see." Blackburn supporter Nicholas Cranshaw said: "I saw some stewards around, but they didn't do anything to stop anybody." The inquest continues.
What a tragic accident ! somebody havin a giggle and it went seriously wrong .. what a crying shame for his family ! My heart goes out to them
Very sad day for everyone. My heart goes out to Mr Taylor's family and friends. You go to watch a game of football and something like that happens. An absolute tragedy!
