liverpoolgirl2007

A week after the murder of their "little guy" in Liverpool, Rhys's parents, Melanie, 41, and Stephen, 44, have spoken of their grief.

In the back garden, about 20 footballs were still lying around, Mr Jones told the Liverpool Echo.

He said: "He would always be with a ball at his feet, ever since he could walk. Like all lads his age, he wanted to be a footballer or a policeman.

"Any grass would last about two minutes with Rhys. It got so bad, with the boots on it all the time, that we put Astroturf down in the back.

"And he would always be losing balls. Over the fence they went. But rather than wait for them to be thrown back he would just run out and buy another."
In Rhys's room, the cuddly gorilla they had wanted him to get rid of before going to Fazakerley high school next year is still on his bed.
"He wouldn’t let it go," said Mr Jones, a Tesco store manager. "He’d had it that long he wouldn’t let us throw it out and that’s still sat on his bed."
On top of his wardrobe, they found the answer to why Rhys was always losing his socks.

"He would take his socks off when he got home from school, roll them into a ball and play football in his room," said Mr Jones. "When he kicked them against the wall, they’d end up on top of his wardrobe and he was too small to reach up and get them down.
"But he was never too small for us. He thought he was small but he was just average to us."
Mrs Jones said losing their son still felt unreal. "When we went to Alder Hey to see Rhys’s body on Thursday, someone from the hospital had gone and brought an Everton duvet and pillow for him. He looked like he’s just tucked up in his bed at home."
The outpouring of public grief and support had given them strength, the couple added. They promised to answer every card, letter or message that has been sent to them since Rhys was shot dead while playing football outside a pub.
"We are just an ordinary family from Croxteth Park," said Mr Jones. "These people who last week had no idea who we were have taken time out to write and offer their support."

A poem written by Rhys’s father, Stephen

Now God wanted a football match
And to play it up in heaven
But first he needed players
And select his first eleven.
Georgie Best, big Brian Labone
The legend Dixie Dean
Alan Ball and Bobby Moore
All made it in the team.
He needed one more player
Someone who would be quick
From up above he looked down
And saw Rhys there in his kit.
So Rhys was taken up above
God took him by the hand
To play the game he loved so much
Where sponsorship is banned.
There is no cheating either as
God is the referee
There are no mega wages
And the transfers they are free.
The games are live on telly
You don't have to subscribe
The players all stay on their feet
Cos no one takes a dive.
So Rhys plays now so happily
To the angels in the crowd
And every time he hits the net
They roar his name so loud.
Have fun my little blue boy
You're safe and in God's care
Till it's time for me to get my boots
And join with you up there.

RHYS JONES’S parents said Liverpool had done the city proud after rival football fans put their differences behind them in memory of the 11-year-old.
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard today joined the appeal to catch the schoolboy’s killer, after an emotional European night at Anfield on Tuesday.
Stephen and Melanie Jones, along with son Owen, stood at the side of the pitch before the Champions League qualifier against Toulouse.
Dressed in the blue kit of Everton, Stephen and Owen supported Melanie as she shed tears in front of the applauding crowd..
Right up until they left the house, Mrs Jones said she was hesitant about stepping out before 40,000 Reds.

“I was really taken aback once we were there, but up until then, I wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do.
“It was only when Owen said he had been talking to people from both the Blues and the Reds over the internet and that they all wanted us to go that I was convinced.
“And Liverpool were really amazing with us. They were fantastic from start to finish.”
Mr Jones said: “We were picked up by our police family liaison officer and, as we were driving to the ground, we were given a few looks.
“But when we got out of the car, we were given a massive round of applause by everyone. It knocked us back. It was just the most amazing thing.
“When we got to pitchside, the noise was deafening. We couldn’t even hear Z Cars being played but my brother assured me it was.
“Then afterwards we met David Moores and Rick Parry and I just told them their fans had done Liverpool - the city and the club - proud. It really was so moving for us.
“Both Rafa and his wife, as well as Steven Gerrard, came and gave us their condolences.
“These people didn’t have to go out of their way to talk to us, but they did. They were just as fantastic as the fans.”
Today club captain Gerrard said: “The reception that Rhys’s family got at Anfield was fantastic and showed that everyone in the city has been affected.
“I would appeal to anyone who has any information to please contact the police and help find those who were responsible for this terrible crime.”
Rick Parry said “It was a tremendous response from the fans.
“Clearly it was a very, very moving occasion and I am very pleased that the family felt able to come and spend the evening with us.
“The fans showed it was a time to put local rivalries to one side to mourn a fellow football fan.”

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