VIDEO: Tribute to much-loved Notts footballer Hazel

Friends of a tragic young woman from Nottinghamshire have paid tribute to 'big-hearted' Hazel, a well-known ladies footballer and trainee soldier in the British Army.
Hazel will be missed by her friends and supporters at Taversal FC Ladies.Hazel will be missed by her friends and supporters at Taversal FC Ladies.
Hazel will be missed by her friends and supporters at Taversal FC Ladies.

Private Hazel Fox, a soldier in the 25th trainee regiment Deepcut Royal Logistics Corps in Surrey and player for Teversal FC Ladies was killed after her car collided with a lorry

The incident took place on the A16 near Spalding, Lincolnshire, on Friday, February 26, at about 4pm.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dawn Mason-Meakin, Teversal Ladies FC manager, said: "Hazel will be sorely missed by everyone at Teversal Ladies FC – our team will never be the same.

Crash Victim Hazel Fox, 20, from Sutton-in-Ashfield. Source: GofundmeCrash Victim Hazel Fox, 20, from Sutton-in-Ashfield. Source: Gofundme
Crash Victim Hazel Fox, 20, from Sutton-in-Ashfield. Source: Gofundme

"Hazel was an exceptional fun-loving personality. A tiny person with a huge heart and great sense of humour.

"She was a talented footballer – a very caring and considerate team player who was always willing to help her team mates and do that bit extra for her fellow players.

"She always gave 100 per cent in whatever she did on and off the football pitch."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The team held a minute's silence for Hazel before playing at the weekend and scores of her fans and fellow players in the local league have showed their support.

Crash Victim Hazel Fox, 20, from Sutton-in-Ashfield. Source: GofundmeCrash Victim Hazel Fox, 20, from Sutton-in-Ashfield. Source: Gofundme
Crash Victim Hazel Fox, 20, from Sutton-in-Ashfield. Source: Gofundme

Friend Private Thomas Green, from the 7 Regiment Cottesmore from Mansfield, said: "Such a lovely girl. Never had a bad word. I used to bring her home and back to work every weekend. But I've been posted four weeks ago so I haven't seen her since the Sunday I took her back.

"She was very eager to get her training finished, she was a very good soldier.

"She was one of the lads, that how I would of said it. As me and her was from Mansfield we used to get on a lot more. She never had a bad word to say, she was very bubbly. And she had a lot of respect for people.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"She had so much hopes for her future. She loved her football. She was a confident young girl. On the way home I could never get a word in because she never used to stop talking."

The dedicated soldier, known to friends as 'Foxy' previously studied at West Notts College and is also a defender of Teversal Ladies Football Club.

The club said: "On Saturday morning, we at Teversal Football Club were devastated to hear of the loss of our good friend Hazel Fox.

"A defender with Teversal FC Ladies, Hazel will be missed by all involved with the Ladies team and the club in general. Her light has been extinguished far too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with her partner, Jenny and Hazel's family at this difficult time."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Police said Ms Fox’s car, a blue Renault Clio, was in collision with a Scania heavy goods vehicle from Fleet Hargate. The lorry driver was uninjured, but Ms Fox was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lincolnshire Police said “investigations are ongoing” into the collision.

Tributes continue to pour in from friends as well as the wider community.

Friend Laura Jackson said: “Missing you miss Hazel. The world is a little emptier without you in it. You will always be in our hearts.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Colin Smith said: "My heart goes out to the family for there loss but you have to think of the driver of the truck we don't know what happened leading up to the accident."

Elliott West said: "It was great to spend years of my childhood with you Hazel. You're an amazing person who had the world ahead of you, such a shame, you'll be missed by many. My thoughts are with her family and close friends, stay strong."

Lynsay Law said: "Rest in peace Hazel. A great person and a brilliant player. I have some great memories playing against you (you always made it extremely difficult)."

Mitch Clifford said: "Horrible news, another young soul taken."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Anyone who witnessed the collision or may have seen either vehicle prior to the crash is asked to contact Lincs police on 101, or via the Collision Witness Hotline 01522 558855, quoting incident number 253 of February 26.

Teversal Ladies are holding a charity memorial night on Friday, March 4, at the ground in respect of Hazel, while some £2,500 has already been raised online to support the family.