Tragic Accident Changes Life of Local (Alabama) Soccer Player

 Please take time to read and help out as you can. It's very important that we share our sorrow and our support. Each and every weekend thousands of soccer players and parents throughout Alabama get in their cars and trucks and drive to games. The accident that happened to the Jonathan and his mom could have happened to any of us. Pass this news along to friends in the soccer community so that they can help out and also to remind them how fleeting life can be. As trite as the old saying can sometimes sound you should indeed, Treasure every moment. – Ken Gamble

 Please read the tragic news below about a Steamers 89 player whose mom was killed in an accident last week en route to a soccer tournament in Florida.  It is times like these that make soccer seem very small and the trivial battles between clubs seem so insignificant.  Take a moment out of your day when you read this to make sure you keep Jonathon, and his family in your thoughts and prayers.  Also to count our blessings each and everyday and be thankful for our relationships with our families and also our valued relationships through the great game of soccer. - Andrew Brower, Birmingham United Soccer Association

 On Thursday, June 16, 2006 Jonathan Turner (17 yrs. old) of the Vestavia Hills Soccer Club (VHSC) Steamers 89 team and his mom Ella Louise Laird were in route to Jacksonville, FL for the US Club Region C  Championship.  They were involved in a tragic accident in Florida on I-10 which claimed the life of Ella Louise.  Jonathan was air lifted to a Dothan hospital with non life threatening injuries.  He was released from the hospital late Thursday evening to a VHSC club representative via the club medical release form and returned to Birmingham.

 Ella Louise was survived by Jonathan and his 23 year old half-sister Val Laird of Mandeville, LA.  Ella Louise was a single mother to Jonathan, as Jonathan’s father died when he was just a toddler.  Jonathan and Ella Louise moved to Birmingham last summer from Mississippi.  Jonathan enrolled at Shades Valley High School and became an important part of the 2006 6A State Championship soccer team.  Val is a first year music teacher back in Louisiana and is engaged to be married.

 A fund has been established to assist Jonathan with both short-term and long-term financial needs.  Please open your hearts and your assets to assist this your man during this time of tragic loss.  Jonathan is one of ours, whether you’re a member of the Vestavia Hills Soccer Club, Alabama Youth Soccer Association, United States Youth Soccer Association or U.S. Club Soccer, as such, please donate freely. 

 You can make a contribution at any Compass Bank location by telling the teller you’d like to make a contribution to the Jonathan Turner Fund or by sending your check made payable to the Jonathan Turner Fund and mailed to the following address.

 Jonathan Turner Fund

P. O. Box 42

Gadsden, AL  35902-0042

 Special thanks to Jill Nichols of Compass Bank-Inverness for assisting with the establishment of the Jonathan Turner Fund.