Kilmarnock fan collapse: Wife pays tribute

THE wife of James Haswell, the man who died after collapsing at Kilmarnock’s game with Hibernian yesterday, has paid an emotional tribute to her late husband.

Players of both teams leave the pitch as the man is being treated. Picture: SNS

In a statement released through the club, Mr Haswell’s widow Aileen said: “Jim lived for Killie and his family. He only missed one game in 17 years. He was the biggest Killie fan you could know.

“On behalf of our daughters, Nicola and Stephanie, Stephanie’s boyfriend, Martin Rae, and Jim’s best friend, Gordon Law, I would like to thank fans, family, colleagues and neighbours for their support.

“I would also like to thank everyone who worked so hard to help Jim yesterday, to the staff at Killie and A&E at Crosshouse, and to both sets of fans for their tributes.

“We would be very grateful if the media would now respect our privacy and that of our friends, neighbours and Jim’s colleagues, and allow us to grieve.”

Kilmarnock also expressed their condolences, saying that arrangements to mark Mr Haswell’s passing will be announced in due course.

The match was abandoned after the 49-year-old collapsed with a suspected heart attack and received medical help.

He was treated by paramedics and medical staff from both clubs before an ambulance drove pitchside to transfer him to the nearby Crosshouse Hospital. He later died in hospital at around 7.30pm.