Football clubs pay tribute to Poppy Atkinson

BBC Poppy Atkinson, wearing a black football shirt, is pictured playing football and looking intently at the ground. She wears a hairband with the words 'MISS KICK' on the ribbon. BBC
Poppy Atkinson was described by her family as a "force of nature"

Football clubs of all levels are paying tribute to a 10-year-old girl who was fatally struck by a car on a sports pitch.

Poppy Atkinson was attending a football training session at Kendal Rugby Club in Cumbria on Wednesday evening when she died in the incident.

A 40-year-old man from Lancaster, who was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, has been released, but Cumbria Police say investigations are continuing.

Manchester United Women paid tribute to Poppy in their FA Cup victory earlier, with dozens of clubs from across the country remembering her as part of a social media campaign started by South Shields-based Team Grassroots.

A number of county associations, including Essex County Girls Football League, Sussex County FA and Notts County FA, are also backing the campaign and are encouraging their members to observe a minute's silence.

Dozens of bouquets of flowers have been left by the edge of a football pitch, many with handwritten messages in memory of Poppy.
Poppy was at a football training session when she was fatally injured after being struck by a vehicle

Poppy's family say she wanted to be a professional footballer, and messages of condolence have been sent from some of the Lionesses, including Barrow's Georgia Stanway.

Manchester United Women, who faced Sunderland in the FA Cup quarter-finals earlier, paid tribute to United fan Poppy with captain Maya Le Tissier holding up a shirt with her name on it after their first goal.

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At the time of Poppy's death, police said there was "no indication to suggest that this incident was a deliberate act".

An eight-year-old girl, also from Kendal, was taken to hospital for treatment, but her injuries were not life-threatening.

James Pattison, CEO of Westmorland County FA, said: "We fully support the minute's silence for Poppy Atkinson this weekend, and have asked it is held before all of our County Cup semi-finals happening over the weekend."

"As a County FA, we have been working closely with all of our member clubs to provide support and advice where necessary, and will continue to do so, following the tragic events of Wednesday evening."

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