Stafford man leads 66-mile walk to Liverpool FC in dad’s memory

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Alex McIntyre

BBC News, West Midlands

Ethan Mould Two men posing for the camera while standing in a seated section of a stadium. The man on the right is bald, wearing a black jacket and has his left arm around the other man's shoulders. The other man has short brown hair, a beard, a brown jacket and black T-shirt with pictures of cans on it.Ethan Mould

Ethan Mould, right, said his dad John, left, was a “very popular man”

The son of a late Sunday league football club chairman is leading a three-day fundraising walk to Liverpool FC in his memory.

John Mould, who was chairman of Stafford-based Wildwood FC, died suddenly on 25 March, aged 62. His cause of death remains unknown, his family said.

His son Ethan Mould, from Stafford, was joined by 20 family members and friends on Thursday as they set off on the 66-mile trek from Stafford Rangers FC to Anfield stadium.

Ethan said his dad was a lifelong Liverpool supporter and followed Stafford Rangers for decades.

“My dad was a much-loved, very popular man within our local community,” the 28-year-old said.

“He was always up for a laugh, seen as one of the lads among our friends and the football team, and loved a pint or two.”

He said his father “absolutely adored” his wife Carol and he described him as his “best friend”.

“I could talk to him about anything and he helped me through some really tough times personally,” Ethan added. “His loss has left a massive hole in all of our hearts.”

Ethan Mould A bald man, wearing a green coat and jeans, stands in the middle of the frame while other people walk or stand around him. Behind him on the wall is a mural of past Liverpool FC players.Ethan Mould

John Mould was a lifelong fan of Liverpool FC

The father-and-son duo set up Wildwood FC in 2023 and John served as chairman following its launch.

“Wildwood FC meant so much to my dad,” Ethan said. “He had his own previous struggles mentally and it got him out of the house every Sunday morning.”

Players wore black armbands during the team’s first game after John’s death and a flag was displayed in his memory.

The match was attended by more than 60 people, with Wildwood FC beating Abbots Bromley 2-0.

Ethan Mould A team of footballers wearing blue and black stripes kits, stand on a football pitch and hold a white flag saying "In loving memory, John Mould, 1962-2025, YNWA". Ethan Mould

Wildwood FC paid tribute to their former chairman John Mould during their first match after his death

The walk, which the group aims to finish on Saturday, was organised to raise much-needed funds for the club.

Asked what his dad would make of it, Ethan said: “To be perfectly honest, my dad would find this absolutely hilarious and I know he’ll be chuckling to himself.

“All joking aside, he’d be unbelievably chuffed that we’re doing this for something he loved so much.”

John joined the RAF after leaving school before working as an engineer and then as site manager at RAF Cosford.

After retiring, he worked as a part-time shop assistant at the Co-op in Wildwood, Stafford, before setting up Wildwood FC.

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