Devoted Scunthorpe dad Andrew Matthews was on way to watch son play football at time of tragic Foxhills car park accident

The man who died in a collision at the Foxhills sports ground had been on his way to watch his son play football.

Andrew Matthews – who followed closely the fortunes of former Scunthorpe United apprentice Scott – was setting off to watch his son play when the fatal collision occurred.

His wife, Vicki Matthews, had been due to go with him, but pulled out because she said it was too cold.

She said: "We used to travel the country to watch Scott play football as a young apprentice for Scunthorpe United.

"He would swap shifts so he could watch every match.

"Andy was a very proud father and even travelled as far as Hartlepool to watch Scott.

"For the last two years, both Andy and I have been to see Scott play in every football match.

"He was on his way to watch Scott play a friendly game of football on the evening he died.

"I was supposed to go with him but it was too cold."

Mrs Matthews met her husband-to-be in a Hull nightclub in 1982 and they got married three years later at St Andrew's Church in Immingham.

They have been living in Fairmont Crescent, Scunthorpe, ever since their wedding day.

Mrs Matthews said of their first meeting: "He gave me his address and I wrote him a letter and we started dating.

"I used to live in Immingham, but Andy was Scunthorpe born and bred.

"We had a great marriage and were very happy.

"He was such a loving man and was supportive and caring.

"It has been a difficult few years and Andy has been my rock."

She said she had been left shattered by the news that he was dead.

"I was in disbelief when the police told me Andy had died and I am still in shock," she said.

"I was told he died instantly and did not suffer and at the end of the day it was a horrific accident.

"He lived for his friends and family and had good banter.

"I miss everything about him because we did everything together.

"We enjoyed going out for meals and had been on a holiday to Majorca this year, which was amazing.

"I have so many fond memories of our time together.

"There are no words to describe how much we will miss him.

"I keep expecting him to bound through the door.

"The last thing I said to him was I love you and will see you later."

He was a crane driver at the steel works in Scunthorpe and had been working at the site for 33 years.

"I just want to say thank you to everyone for all the kind words and support," said Mrs Matthews.

Andy's funeral will be at the Woodlands Crematorium, Scunthorpe, tomorrow (Friday, September 7) at 10.30am.