Wycombe are a club in mourning after young midfielder Mark Philo died in a car crash.
Wycombe are a club in mourning after young midfielder Mark Philo died in a car crash.
The 21-year-old was involved in an accident in the Reading area during the early hours of Saturday morning, and subsequently passed away as a result of his injuries at around 4.20 pm on Saturday.
News of the tragedy was kept from Wycombe players prior to their game against Notts County, although the Philo family had earlier insisted that the game should go ahead.
The news was broken via the club's official website through a statement which read: "In the early hours of the morning Mark was involved in a fatal car accident in the Reading area.
"Although he was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital he was unable to recover from the injuries he had sustained and his life support machine was turned off at 4.20pm.
"Wycombe Wanderers would like to take this opportunity to express their deepest sympathies to Mark's family, his friends and those who were fortunate enough to meet him.
"An exciting prospect in the game at just 21 years of age, Mark will be sorely missed."
Wanderers boss John Gorman added: "It is absolutely devastating, he was a fantastic kid and at 21 was at the start of his career, he lived for football and always had a smile on his face.
"It was down to me to tell the players and we decided to wait until after the game. His dad, who watches us home and away, insisted the game must go ahead. We had to do it for Mark and our sincere condolences go out to his family."
Philo joined Wycombe at the age of 15 after having previously been on the books of West Ham and Crystal Palace and was handed a new two-year deal with the club during the summer.
