In Memory Of Kiyan Josiah Prince: 25th November 1990 – 18th May 2006

It was four years ago today that we heard the terrible news about 15-year-old Kiyan Prince. I wrote the following article after attending his funeral in North London:-

The Service for Kiyan was held last Thursday at the 7th Day Adventist Church in the Holloway Road. I arrived quite early and the Church Hall began to fill up very quickly. Soon, it was standing room only and the later arrivals stood outside. All in all, there must of been around 1,000 mourners attending this very sad occasion. Kiyan’s Headmaster and school friends from the London Academy in Edgware filed in. The QPR U16 team stood together and there were also a number of much younger players in attendance, wearing their Club tracksuits.

When Kiyan’s coffin was brought in, many openly wept. After the family took their places, a Church Elder welcomed us and the opening hymn and prayer followed. Kiyan’s parents supported each other and stood before us. Mark Prince spoke with great dignity about his son. He said that he was a ‘true Prince’ and that he had once told him, “You are not just a Prince by name, you have to conduct yourself like a prince.” He added that Kiyan would look out for others regardless of whether they were older or younger than him. He spoke well of QPR and added that it had come down to a straight choice between West Ham and the R’s and he was pleased that they had made the right choice. QPR had been very good to them. Mark concluded by saying, “If any of you young people want to have a role model and look up to somebody, then use my son.”

The Headmaster, Phil Hearne, then stepped up and recalled on how far and wide the tragedy had touched so many people’s hearts. A 92-year-old man residing in a Home in Norfolk wrote to say that he had wished that he could of sent some flowers. He went on to say that Kiyan began to realise the importance of Maths and in particular ‘percentages’ as it would become very useful in the future when speaking to his Manager ! Joe Gallen then spoke on behalf of the Club and he said that it took him about 5 minutes deciding to sign him as a 13-year-old. “There are people who can make everyone else feel better and in terms of football, they can make people play better, Kiyan had that.”

With great emotion, Kiyan’s sister sang a few lines of Puff Daddy’s, ‘I’ll Be Missing You’ and the closing hymn was, ‘How Great Thou Art’. After a few more words from the Pastor, the Service came to an end. Outside, I saw Paul Furlong, nearby Ricky Sappleton and Harry Smart were doing a TV interview. Kiyan was buried at the New Southgate Cemetery.

God Bless Kiyan.

Steve Russell

5 thoughts on “In Memory Of Kiyan Josiah Prince: 25th November 1990 – 18th May 2006

  1. I cannot believe it was 4 years ago. I remember being really shocked by this despite not even seeing him play. Such a waste of a young life. RIP

  2. There have been so many ups and downs over the years at QPR, joy and heartache, emotional highs and lows. We like many, used to think football was life or death, until that day 4 years ago, when the news of Kiyan’s tragic death came to us. Standing at the school gates paying our repects, still even now seems so surreal.Surely no one would hurt this big, talented amiable guy, let alone take his life, but they did, and although the memories of kiyan live on, so does the pain and the heartache,of what was taken. No parent should lose a child, and in such a cruel way. I know Liam still dedicates his success to Ki and he still wears pink socks in his memory, For me the lesson of life and death and its total non relation to football really hit home. RIP Kiyan, along with Ray never to be forgotten.

  3. His name will never be forgotten by the fans of our great club.His family also will always have a place in our hearts
    Rest in peace Kiyan

  4. A real tragedy that was so pointless.
    Never met him, but note that everyone spoke very highly of him, not just in football terms, but as a human being.
    Having met his parents briefly on two occasions,I just felt in awe of them at the way they were dealing with such a great loss.
    No doubt they have deep faith that keeps them strong and focused.
    Wish the Prince family the very best.

    Rest in peace Kiyan

  5. Miss Kiyan Loads What a lovely boy who was just HAPPY with Life
    A Massive loss and still hurts all that knew him
    Rip Kiyan xxxx

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