' PLEASE HELP/ ITS BEEN TAKEN '
Mon Nov 14, 2016 7:43 pm
THE MEMORIAL FLAG OF SIMON INSOLE DISPLAYED AT ALL WALES GAMES/WAS TAKEN AT THE WALES/SERBIA GAME
Anyone with information can contact Vince Alm on 07814 779441
Simon Insole died suddenly aged 47 in 2012 and a flag bearing his name has been displayed at Wales matches ever since
A memorial flag commemorating a police officer who worked tirelessly to keep football fans safe has been taken from Cardiff City Stadium .
Wales police football liaison officer Simon Insole died suddenly aged 47 in 2012 and a Welsh flag bearing his name has since appeared at Wales matches at home and across Europe.
The flag was last on show at the Wales v Serbia match at the stadium on Saturday evening but it disappeared shortly after the final whistle was blown.
The flag reads: “Simon Insole, yn fythol gyda ni” (forever with us).
Cardiff City Supporters Club leader Vince Alm, who first met Mr Insole more than 20 years ago, said: “Simon played a big role in the Cardiff City community.
“He was so passionate about Welsh football and was liked by everyone.
“His memorial flag was flying during the Euros and was supposed to be at all the qualifiers.
"It has great sentimental value and it would mean the world if we could get it back.”
May have been taken by mistake
The flag belongs to Mr Insole’s former colleagues at South Wales Police.
Mr Alm has asked fans who were seated near the family stand at the away side of the stadium to check to see if they have picked up the flag by mistake.
He added: “We don’t want to accuse anyone of stealing it – we think someone might have taken it home with them by mistake.”
Hundreds attended Mr Insole’s funeral at Llandaff Cathedral after he died suddenly in September 2012.
He left behind his wife Lisa and his 13-year-old son Tom.
Hundreds attended a funeral service for Mr Insole at Llandaff Cathedral
Tom flew his father’s memorial flag in Bordeaux when Wales played Slovakia in the side’s first match of the European Championships in the summer.
After his death Mr Insole was commended for his “bravery and commitment” by former colleagues.
He worked closely with Cardiff City and, after retiring the year before his death, he was presented with a signed shirt before a Bluebirds home match.
He had also worked as a venue security manager for Wembley Arena during the London Olympics.
'Much-loved colleague'
South Wales Police divisional commander Chief Superintendent Alun Thomas described him as “instrumental” in reducing football-related disorder.
“He travelled across the world with Welsh fans and worked particularly closely with Cardiff City Football Club who presented him with a signed shirt on his retirement,” he said in March 2013.
A spokesman for South Wales Police said: "We are trying to recover a Welsh flag bearing the name of Simon Insole which went missing at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday following the fixture between Wales and Serbia.
"We believe somebody picked it up by mistake and hopefully we’ll be able to locate it and arrange for its quick return with the help of social media.
Tom Insole, 13, at the Wales v Slovakia match in Bordeaux
"Simon, who passed away in 2012, spent 10 years as a football intelligence officer for the Welsh national team, based in Cardiff.
"He was a much-loved colleague and a professional who was well respected.
"The flag itself has been flown at football matches across Europe, including at the European Championship Finals in France earlier this year, as a tribute to Simon and to what he achieved."
Anyone with information can contact Vince Alm on 07814 779441.
Anyone with information can contact Vince Alm on 07814 779441
Simon Insole died suddenly aged 47 in 2012 and a flag bearing his name has been displayed at Wales matches ever since
A memorial flag commemorating a police officer who worked tirelessly to keep football fans safe has been taken from Cardiff City Stadium .
Wales police football liaison officer Simon Insole died suddenly aged 47 in 2012 and a Welsh flag bearing his name has since appeared at Wales matches at home and across Europe.
The flag was last on show at the Wales v Serbia match at the stadium on Saturday evening but it disappeared shortly after the final whistle was blown.
The flag reads: “Simon Insole, yn fythol gyda ni” (forever with us).
Cardiff City Supporters Club leader Vince Alm, who first met Mr Insole more than 20 years ago, said: “Simon played a big role in the Cardiff City community.
“He was so passionate about Welsh football and was liked by everyone.
“His memorial flag was flying during the Euros and was supposed to be at all the qualifiers.
"It has great sentimental value and it would mean the world if we could get it back.”
May have been taken by mistake
The flag belongs to Mr Insole’s former colleagues at South Wales Police.
Mr Alm has asked fans who were seated near the family stand at the away side of the stadium to check to see if they have picked up the flag by mistake.
He added: “We don’t want to accuse anyone of stealing it – we think someone might have taken it home with them by mistake.”
Hundreds attended Mr Insole’s funeral at Llandaff Cathedral after he died suddenly in September 2012.
He left behind his wife Lisa and his 13-year-old son Tom.
Hundreds attended a funeral service for Mr Insole at Llandaff Cathedral
Tom flew his father’s memorial flag in Bordeaux when Wales played Slovakia in the side’s first match of the European Championships in the summer.
After his death Mr Insole was commended for his “bravery and commitment” by former colleagues.
He worked closely with Cardiff City and, after retiring the year before his death, he was presented with a signed shirt before a Bluebirds home match.
He had also worked as a venue security manager for Wembley Arena during the London Olympics.
'Much-loved colleague'
South Wales Police divisional commander Chief Superintendent Alun Thomas described him as “instrumental” in reducing football-related disorder.
“He travelled across the world with Welsh fans and worked particularly closely with Cardiff City Football Club who presented him with a signed shirt on his retirement,” he said in March 2013.
A spokesman for South Wales Police said: "We are trying to recover a Welsh flag bearing the name of Simon Insole which went missing at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday following the fixture between Wales and Serbia.
"We believe somebody picked it up by mistake and hopefully we’ll be able to locate it and arrange for its quick return with the help of social media.
Tom Insole, 13, at the Wales v Slovakia match in Bordeaux
"Simon, who passed away in 2012, spent 10 years as a football intelligence officer for the Welsh national team, based in Cardiff.
"He was a much-loved colleague and a professional who was well respected.
"The flag itself has been flown at football matches across Europe, including at the European Championship Finals in France earlier this year, as a tribute to Simon and to what he achieved."
Anyone with information can contact Vince Alm on 07814 779441.
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Re: ' PLEASE HELP/ ITS BEEN TAKEN '
Tue Nov 15, 2016 6:11 pm
The Flag has been located and returned.
Big thanks to the FSF Cymru and all fans.
Big thanks to the FSF Cymru and all fans.
Re: ' PLEASE HELP/ ITS BEEN TAKEN '
Tue Nov 15, 2016 6:51 pm
trowbridgeboy wrote:The Flag has been located and returned.
Big thanks to the FSF Cymru and all fans.
Re: ' PLEASE HELP/ ITS BEEN TAKEN '
Wed Nov 16, 2016 12:18 am
trowbridgeboy wrote:The Flag has been located and returned.
Big thanks to the FSF Cymru and all fans.
Yes brilliant, I was told it was posted back to the club
