THE father of a man who tragically died at an Oasis concert has paid tribute to the “lifelong fan” who “loved his kids”.
Lee Claydon, 45, is understood to have fallen from the upper tier balcony at the Wembley Stadium concert on Sunday.
Heartbroken father Clive Claydon, 75, told how his son had been “super excited” about the gig, for which he bought tickets a year ago.
He said: “He was a lifelong Oasis fan and he was so looking forward to going.
“Out of all the thousands of people there why’s it got to be my son?”
Clive told how Lee lived with his partner and son Harry in Bournemouth.
The Oasis fan had attended the gig with his brother Aaron, niece and nephew.
Aaron even wrote a Facebook post about how he was excited to go to the gig.
In what marked Lee’s heartbreaking final post, he commented: “Cheers our kid”.
Clive told how Aaron had been the one to inform him of Lee’s death.
In tears he said: “I am going to miss him so much. Everyone will. I am so devastated.”
Clive remembered his son as a “lovely, lovely bloke” who “no one could say a bad thing about ever.”
He continued: “He was a hard worker, has been all his life. He loved his kids, he looked after them and his girlfriend.
“He is a real family man; they were supposed to be going on a big family holiday all together in two weeks’ time.”
“I don’t know how his girlfriend is going to cope; she is really going to struggle without him.”
Clive saw Lee last week and said his son had been talking about the Oasis concert for months.
He recalled: “I spoke to him last week, and he was talking about it then.
“I just can’t believe it I’ve had to go to the doctors for tablets today because I am so devastated.”
Clive said he had been angered by online comments suggesting Lee may have taken his own life.
“It’s disgusting, he did not commit suicide. He had everything to live for. It was nothing to do with drugs, or being drunk either,” he slammed.
“He has never taken drugs in his life and he may have had a beer, who doesn’t at a concert, but he certainly was not drunk.
“It was just a pure accident, a horrible accident.”
Clive also claimed: “I’ve been told that it was an accident waiting to happen.
“I can’t understand how this occurred; I’ve never been to Wembley, but you would expect that the health and safety measures are adequate. I’ve been informed that it was allegedly dangerous there.”
“That’s what I’ve been told. I don’t know about the barriers and that. I want answers from Wembley about how it could have happened.”
He said the family were now rallying around Lee’s partner and children saying: “We are just doing what we can.”
Lee’s death comes just a year after the sad passing of his mother.
A Wembley representative stated: “Wembley Stadium adheres to very high health and safety standards, fully aligning with legal requirements for the safety of spectators and staff, and is certified and compliant with the ISO 45001 standard.
“We undergo regular inspections by certifying authorities both during event days and throughout the year, and we consistently review and test our plans to ensure compliance with the stadium’s general safety certificate conditions.
“We collaborate closely with all relevant event delivery stakeholders – including event owners, local authorities, the Sports Ground Safety Authority, and the police – to ensure high standards of safety, security, and service for everyone attending or working at the venue.”
‘A LOVING FAMILY MAN’
It comes after the devastated family paid tribute to the “devoted father, partner and role model”.
His partner Amanda said she would “never stop loving you” and called Lee her “soulmate”.
She added: “I don’t have many words right now but it’s not fair and it’s not right that you’re not here with us!
“I am so grateful to have spent the time we had even though this cruel world has cut it way too short!
Lee would have done anything for any of us
Aaron Claydon
“We had so much to look forward to! I will try my best to be strong for all.”
Aaron also paid tribute to him on a GoFundMe page set up to support his grieving family.
He said: “Our family has been turned upside down and are struggling to deal with this devastation and unexpected loss.
“Lee leaves behind his Son, Dad, Partner, Brothers, Sisters, Nephews and Niece.
“Lee was a loving family man who was a role model to his son Harry and was loved so much by all his family.
“Lee would have done anything for any of us and he was taken from us far too soon and we will miss him so very much.”
He added: “I am still in shock and can’t believe I’m writing this, but sadly, over the weekend, I lost my best friend, the man I looked up to and was fortunate to call my brother, Lee Claydon.
“This is a gonna be a tough long journey and I have set up this gofundme page to help and support his loved ones.
“Please read and share. Until we meet again kid.”
Also paying tribute to the dad on Facebook, his cousin Shannon Gabrielle said: “Honestly don’t even know what words to write right now.
“My cousin Lee tragically passed away this weekend after undoubtedly having the time of his life at the Oasis concert. Most have likely seen snippets in the news, and as you can imagine, it has devastated the entire family. For his closest family unit, it’s the most challenging time they have ever faced.”
OASIS ‘SADDENED’
Oasis said in a statement that they were “shocked and saddened” by the fan’s death.
They added: “Oasis would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved.”
In a statement the Metropolitan Police said: “A man – aged in his 40s – was found with injuries consistent with a fall.
“He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
“The stadium was busy and we believe it is likely a number of people witnessed the incident, or may knowingly or unknowingly have caught it on mobile phone video footage.
“If you have any information that could help us to confirm what happened, please call 101.”
A spokesperson for Wembley Stadium said: “Wembley Stadium medics, the London Ambulance Service and the police attended to a concert-goer who was found with injuries consistent with a fall.
“Despite their efforts, the fan very sadly died. Our thoughts go out to his family, who have been informed and are being supported by specially trained police officers.
“The police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.”
