Family pay tribute to ‘true gentleman’ as Sunday League footballer’s killer jailed for life after ramming van into crowd
A FAMILY have paid a touching tribute to a “true gentleman” Sunday League footballer as his killer is jailed for life.
Sam Wilson, 26, had just left a pub in Ilkeston, Derbyshire with his teammates at around 2am when a van drove into them on December 16, 2023.
The van was driven by Zac Newman, 27, who was jailed for life with a minimum term of 24 years at Derby Crown Court on Friday.
In a statement, Sam’s family remembered their “true gentleman”.
They said: “Sam, our gorgeous blue-eyed boy, was the most loving, kind-hearted, genuine soul that you could ever meet. A true gentleman.
“He’d genuinely do anything for anyone that needed help and always had such a positive attitude towards life. He had a witty and cheeky sense of humour that only he could get away with.
“Sam was always smiling, he had time for everyone that was lucky enough to meet him. He was a talented football player for his local team and supported Derby County, never missing a game.
“Sam was the brains of the family; he went to Sheffield university where he earnt his degree. He was a roofer who aspired to set up his own business one day alongside his Dad.
“Sam wasn’t just Sam. To us he was our Son, Brother, Boyfriend, Uncle, Nephew, Grandson, Cousin, and friend to many. We ask ourselves daily- why did this happen to Sam?
“Innocently enjoying a Christmas night out with his mates and taken away from us all in the most barbaric and traumatic circumstances. Far too early at only 26-years-old.
“Sam has had the opportunity to live his life selfishly ripped away from him within minutes. He had two young nieces that would call him “Uncle Moonhead” who he will not get the opportunity to watch grow and spoil them as he always did.
“Sam will not be able to experience life milestones and we have also had the opportunity to experience them alongside him taken from us in the most tragic way, murdered by another human.”
They added: “Sam’s life wasn’t the only one that was destroyed in the early hours of 16 December.
“Everyone that knew Sam, that loved him, and that witnessed Sam’s life being taken, have been left completely heartbroken, traumatised, and devastated by the events in December.
“It’s been a living nightmare for us all, something that we will never get over and we too will serve a life sentence for the rest of our life without our boy here with us.
“We know that no sentence will ever be enough or bring Sam back or ease the pain that we all feel.
“We would like to thank everyone that has supported us and helped to get Sam justice throughout these past six months.”
Euro Soccer Long Eaton Sunday League previously said: “The league would like to express our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and teammates of Sam Wilson of AFC Curzon.
“Our thoughts are with him and those that he leaves behind.”
Curzon AFC coach Wayne Riley previously said: “It’s taken me all day to process what happened in the early hours of this morning.
“But it’s with a broken heart that I am writing this.
Sam, our gorgeous blue-eyed boy, was the most loving, kind-hearted, genuine soul that you could ever meet. A true gentleman.
Sam Wilson's family
“I first met Sam at Long Eaton Utd and I knew when I first saw him play that he was good.
“Two days after he turned 16 he made his debut for me in Long Eaton Utd Reserves and proved he was good enough to play at that level by scoring.
“He always played with a smile on his face was never greedy always wanting to set others up instead of having a go himself.
“I have lost a very good footballer, a great lad and a good mate.
“Until I can be your football manager again Sam and we meet again on the heavenly pitch R.I.P you will be truly missed.”
Two other men were taken to hospital for treatment for injuries and then recovered at home.
Trial of Zac Newman
Zac Newman pleaded not guilty to all the offences, but was convicted by a majority jury verdict of murder earlier this week following a trial at Derby Crown Court.
The 27-year-old was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 24 years.
He was also sentenced to four years for grievous bodily harm, two years for attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, and 20 months for breaching a suspended sentence.
These will be served concurrently with the life sentence.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Croome, who led the investigation, said: “The sentencing today marks the end of an incredibly tragic and horrifying case, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of Sam Wilson.
“Sam was simply out with his friends enjoying a night out on the run up to Christmas. He was a complete stranger to Zac Newman and had been minding his own business. He was an innocent bystander whose life was senselessly taken by Newman’s reckless and irresponsible actions.”
DCI Croome added: “During that night Newman made a series of deliberate and dangerous decisions, drinking alcohol and taking cocaine on numerous occasions. He had been violent and confrontational towards others in the Market Place, and this ended with him taking the horrific act of driving his van into a group of people.
“Newman’s behaviour had severe and devastating consequences and no sentence can ever truly compensate for the loss experienced by Sam’s loved ones. I hope that they will feel some measure of justice and peace as they continue to live with the impact of Newman’s actions.”