MOTORCYCLISTS will be revving up to remember popular Black Country footballer Ryan Passey this weekend as heartbroken family and friends mark the sixth anniversary of his tragic death.
The annual Ride for Ryan will take place on Saturday August 5.
It will start at 10.30am from The Widders pub in Cradley and will see bikers riding out to the Quatt Café in Bridgnorth and back.
All bikes, trikes, quads, learners are welcome but no dirt bikes are allowed.
Jason Connon, spokesperson for the Justice for Ryan campaign, invited people to turn out and show their support once again for a “great event great event in memory of Ryan”.
Around 300 bikers turned out for last year’s event which also saw entertainment and activities laid on at The Widders pub.
This year will be no different – as long as the rain holds off – with marquees and stalls booked for the fun-day at the pub, organised by family friend John Hill.
Mr Connon said: “John does this each for us and we’d like to thank him for all his support that he’s given to Ryan’s family over the past few years.”
The event will see bikers take in Stourbridge ring road and ride through the High Street to pay their respects outside the former town centre nightspot where Ryan, aged 24, was stabbed to death.
The Ride for Ryan event has become a big date in the calendar of fundraisers for the family’s fight for justice which recently was given a boost when West Midlands Police confirmed they would be launching a fresh murder investigation to try to bring Ryan’s killer to justice.
The following day - Sunday August 6 which will be the sixth anniversary of Ryan’s untimely death - the family will quietly remember the much-loved footballer from Quarry Bank who had been out with friends in the old Chicago’s bar in Stourbridge's Ryemarket when he was stabbed in the chest as a fight broke out.
He had been out celebrating the start of the football season when his life was tragically cut short.
In honour of the former midfielder, who played for Wren’s Nest FC in Dudley, football teams across the borough will remember Ryan with a one-minute silence before the first games of the season kick off at 3pm on Saturday August 5.
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