THE HEARTBROKEN family and friends of the Retford man killed in a car crash caused by a professional footballer have called for him not to be forgotten.

Tom Bryan, the Retford man killed last May when his car was hit by Oxford United footballer Adam Chapman's vehicle, should not be forgotten amid the headlines, say his partner and family.

Chapman, 20, of Clarborough, was given a 30-month custodial sentence for the offence when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court last week. He had admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Evidence showed he had been using his mobile phone just minutes before the collision.

Glenys Bloomer, 75, was travelling with Tom, 77, when their car was hit by Mr Chapman, who had veered onto the other side of the road.

She was left with extensive bruising and a fractured arm, but Tom suffered fatal injuries.

This week, she paid tribute to her childhood sweetheart, with whom she had rekindled a relationship more than 50 years after they had both moved on to, and lost, new partners.

She said: "We used to go out when I was 17, but then went our own ways.

"We were both surprised to meet up again - we just met in town one day.

"Tom had been on his own seven years prior to meeting up. In the time we were together, we did everything together.

"If he could do something to help me, he would help me."

Tom's nephew, John Bryan, 63, of Jubilee Road, raised racing pigeons together with Tom, who had no children of his own.

He said: "We were like brothers. He was a very peaceful man, and he was always up at my house.

"All I can say is he was a very nice bloke."

"I don't think this sentence was long enough.

"Texting when you're in a car is just a really bad thing to do - it's as bad as going out with a gun."

For Glenys, the headlines in national press and on TV speaking of Chapman and his role as a footballer detract from the life lost in the tragic crash.

She said: "The focus is on that young lad. To me it's just as if Tom was 'an old man'.

"I want to let people know he was our friend although he was taken away in the accident."

She added that the 30-month sentence, which could see Chapman on parole in 15 months, did not fit the crime.

She said: "It's just heartbreaking to think he took a life and was on his mobile phone, which is an offence in itself, yet may only serve 15 months."

Her memories of Tom are shared by her sister Lesley Sherratt, of Welham Road, who remembers him as a kind and quiet person, but one who could always be coaxed to visit with something as simple as a roast potato for dinner.

She said: "Tom was a kind and quiet, private person and his passion was for racing pigeons, which he did with his nephew.

"There's not a day goes by now without a conversation about Tom and what they used to do together.

"I would like to put a plea out to everyone who owns a mobile phone; do not, I repeat, do not use in any way while driving.

"Life is precious at any age and it could be yours you say goodbye to."

Turn to Page 3 for court report and police reaction.