RHYS JONES’S beloved Everton FC have appealed for his killer to be caught.
The club will pay tribute to the murdered 11-year-old this afternoon with a minute’s applause before the kick-off of their Premiership match against Blackburn Rovers, and the players will wear black armbands.
It is thought Rhys’s mother, father and brother Owen, 17, will attend today and will stand pitchside next to managers David Moyes and Mark Hughes for the tribute before taking their normal seats in the Top Balcony.
Club chairman Bill Kenwright said: “Everyone connected with Everton has been touched by this most tragic event.
“We simply must find those who were responsible. I would appeal for anyone who has any information to contact the police. “
Manager David Moyes said: “We’re all deeply shocked. Our thoughts are with the parents of this young boy.
“In a city which prides itself on honesty and trust, people out there will be the first to stand up and say this can’t happen to a young boy.
“It’s totally unfair and not correct, and I’m sure anybody who knows anything about it will do the right thing and come forward.
“We need to show we will not have this in our society.”
An appeal will be made on the club’s big screen and over the loudspeakers to the 37,000 fans expected at the match in a bid for witnesses to come forward.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Kelly said: “Rhys was a fanatic Everton supporter who loved football and idolised players including Mikel Arteta, Joleon Lescott and Joseph Yobo.
“We hope that, if there is anyone in the crowd who has any information regarding the murder of Rhys, that they will come forward and tell us what they know.”
Club captain Phil Neville added: “Everyone at Everton, and the players especially, send our condolences to the Jones family after the tragic death of their son, Rhys.
“We all here at the club have families of our own, and we cannot comprehend what you are going through. We appeal to anyone with information to contact the police.”
The Rev Harry Ross, of St Luke’s Church, next to the ground, said it would be open before kick-off for anyone who wanted to light a candle or pray for Rhys.
-- Photo
