Wednesday, 20 August 2003.

The England team will wear black armbands during tonight's friendly match with Croatia in memory of Ray Harford and Jimmy Davis who both died earlier this month.

A minute's silence will also be observed before kick off in tribute.

"The silence will be to remember Ray Harford and Jimmy Davis," The FA's Adrian Bevington confirmed.

"Ray made a huge contribution to English football including managing the England Under-21 side while Jimmy Davis was a hugely promising player for both Manchester United and Watford as well as an England youth international at various levels.

Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham attend Jimmy's funeral, August 2003.

Watford rocked by Davis' death

Watford FC and Manchester United are united in grief following the death of rising star Jimmy Davis.

The 21-year-old died after a collision between a grey three-series BMW and DAF truck on the M40 shortly before 5am on Saturday. The incident occurred as both vehicles were travelling southbound between Junctions 10 and 11.

The tragic news of the 21-year-old's death led to the postponement of Watford's opening game of the season with Coventry City.

In a statement realeased shortly after 3pm, Watford said: "The club was advised by the police that a road traffic accident occurred on the M40 this morning arising from which a person was killed. The police have informed the club that they suspect it to be 21-year-old Jimmy Davis.

"The reason for our delay in this further announcement was on police advice – in order for Jimmy's next of kin to be informed.

"Davis, contracted to Manchester United, was at the start of a season-long spell with the Hornets.

"The thoughts of all staff at Watford Football Club are with Jimmy's family at this time."

Manchester United have also released a statement on their website in which manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "You could not meet a nicer and more bubbly character than Jimmy Davis. He was a player with real potential, that's why we had sent him to Watford. At 21 he had great promise. We are all really sad. It is terrible news."

During his month at Vicarage Road, the Bromsgrove-born England Under-20 international scored twice in pre-season, but was ruled out of the Coventry City game by a groin injury.

A Proud Swindon Fan
Tonight I'm a proud Swindon Town fan. Today is exactly 2 weeks to the day that a young man of 21 died in a car crash on the M40 at 5:00 in the morning. Nothing special about that, people unfortunately die in car crashes daily. This death however meant slightly more to me than it would most people. The young man in question was Jimmy Davis, a Manchester United player who had just been loaned out to Watford for the year.
When I moved to Redditch (to live with my (now ex) girlfriend) I found out, by reading the local free paper, that Jimmy was from Redditch and played for Man Utd. Ever since then I have tried to follow his career as much as I can. Since his untimely death I have found out he used to live on the same estate I lived on, he went to the middle school my ex-girlfriend's kids will goto, and he went to the same high school as my ex, and if she stays where she lives now, where the kids will go.
 

I never met him but the more I've found out the more I feel like I've lost a friend.  He spent 3 months on loan to Swindon at the beginning of last season and to be honest was a revelation.  You could see he had the quality to succeed.  He ran defences, scared them and always made himself available for the ball.  He created chances and generally added a huge amount to our cause in those 3 months.  But that was just on the pitch and to be honest the only things I can say I saw.  However reading our local evening paper and offical club website there was more to this young man.  He was generally the first to training and always last to leave.  His work ethic was there for all to see and he inspired those around at our club to do more.  He was never to busy for an interview or a fan and could be seen at several of our matches last season, after his loan spell finished, as well as our pre-season friendlies.

My abiding memory of this young man, other than twisting and turning down the wing and putting over a cross, will be from his last ever game he played for us.  He was substituted with about 5 minutes to spare and received a standing ovation to the cries of 'There's only one Jimmy Davis'.  As he left the field you could see him wiping tears from his eyes.  He was proud to have played football at our club we had obviously left as much of an impression on him as he had on us.

So why am I proud tonight, well today was the first home game since the tragedy and it was a chance for us fans to show how much he'd affected us in those 3 months.  We had the impeccably observed minute silence (and to those Notts County fans that came I thank you) and also chants from around the ground of 'There's only one Jimmy Davis'.  But the reason today was different for me was that Jimmy's family were at the game.  11 members of them came to the ground and after the minute's silence his Mum said a few words.  Those words she read out told me how much he had enjoyed playing for Swindon Town and I'll treasure that moment for the rest of my life.  I just hope that us fans managed to convey to Jimmy's family at some of the affection we had for that young man.  HE WOULD HAVE BEEN A STAR.  HE IS A STAR.  Written by Matt Brown