Rob Spray: West Brom plan signed shirt tribute after Bulgaria death
Albion will pay tribute to supporter Rob Spray by giving friends a signed shirt to place on his seat before the game against Barnsley on Tuesday.
Mr Spray, 32 and from Heath Hayes in Cannock, died in Sofia on Monday after travelling to watch England play Bulgaria in a Euro 2020 qualifier.
In tribute to the season ticket holder, Mr Spray's parents Jillian and Malcolm – who is suffering from prostate cancer – have been invited to attend Albion's home game with Barnsley on Tuesday as guests of the club.
His sister Katie has also been invited along with other family members.
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Albion will provide a signed shirt which his friends will take to his seat at the back of the Brummie Road End.
There will also be a full tribute in the match-day programme.
Speaking earlier today, head coach Slaven Bilic paid tribute to the 32-year-old, saying: "It is very sad and we send our condolences.
"We are in contact with the family, the club is trying to help them get information about what happened there.
"It’s very sad what has happened, a young man losing his life.
"He was a big West Brom fan so the club is trying to help the family."
According to Bulgarian authorities, Mr Spray died while being transported to a police station having earlier been found in a "helpless condition" in the centre of the city.
Mr Spray travelled to Bulgaria as part of a group of 11 friends including childhood friend Andrew McMath, who has spoken out to deny suggestions Mr Spray had taken drugs before his death.
Meanwhile more than £22,000 has been donated to a fundraiser set up to support Mr Spray's family and repatriate his body.
Mr Spray's family and friends have also started an online petition calling for the Foreign Office to launch an investigation into his death, which had been signed by more than 1,700 people by lunchtime on Friday.
