Woman cops backlash for 'snatching' football shirt from young boy
A woman accused of snatching away a football shirt thrown to a young Preston fan has been criticised by the family of the 8-year-old boy.
Young Ted Dockray was left in tears after he caught Jermaine Beckford's match-winning shirt during Sunday's play-off final against Swindon, only for an unknown woman to snatch it from his hands.
The shirt was worn by hat-trick hero Beckford and later appeared on classified ads site Gumtree with a ticket price of £1,500 (it has since been removed).
Ted's family had travelled to Wembley to watch him play in a schools' championship, while his aunt Helen announced her anger at the woman who apparently stole the shirt.
"Ted was clearly the last one to have his hands on that shirt," she said.
"He would have worn it even if it was all sweaty and smelly. It is the happiness it would have brought the child that matters.
"Ted was in bits and went running to my dad."
Footage of the incident went viral, leading to an online campaign to be launched by fans demanding that Ted get the shirt back.
Manchester woman, Vickie Timbrell deleted her Facebook page overnight after she quickly became a target from angry fans.
The 31-year-old woman who was filmed on camera appearing to snatch the football shirt declined to answer questions overnight but insisted her ‘side of the story will soon come out’.
Wembley hero Beckford even weighed in, telling the Mirror: "It was intended as a goodwill gesture. I assumed it would go to a good home from someone who was able to enjoy the game today.
"Hopefully, it will find its way back to the kid who caught it."
Preston have said they will arrange a special presentation for young Ted to make up for the loss.
Lancashire Police's Football Intelligence Unit have confirmed they are examining the footage.
News break - May 26
