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'OUR WARRIOR'

Three daughters share heartbreaking tribute to mum, 51, and close pal of ex-England manager Sam Allardyce killed in Manchester bombing

School receptionist Jane Tweddle, 51, was killed in the blast that ripped through the concert venue 

THE three daughters of Manchester terror attack victim Jane Tweddle have paid a heartfelt tribute to their late mum's "strength, laughter and inner warrior".

School receptionist Jane, 51, went to Manchester Arena on May 22 to pick up her pal’s daughter after the Ariande Grande concert.

 Jane Tweddle, centre, with her three daughters Harriet, Lily and Isabelle Taylor
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Jane Tweddle, centre, with her three daughters Harriet, Lily and Isabelle TaylorCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
 Jane was an active woman who was a 'smiling and happy mum' to her kids
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Jane was an active woman who was a 'smiling and happy mum' to her kidsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Now her three daughters Harriet Taylor, Lily Taylor and Isabelle Taylor have released a statement through Greater Manchester Police.

They said: "There are no words for how we feel - our mum was every part of us.

"She is our strength, our laughter, our inner warrior, our kindness and our compassion.

"Forever we will hold on to those traits for it is our mum who instilled them in us.

"If you knew our mum well enough you'd know she didn't have the greatest luck in the world, and we think back to that night and if only she had one second of luck on her side we wouldn't be writing this.

"But then we thought maybe our mum was the only person who was strong enough to have all this bad luck and to keep on going, keep on smiling, to keep on helping other people, going out of her way to make sure everyone around her was smiling."

The statement continued: "Our mum never gave up on smiling and being happy.

"She taught us everything we know, raised us and she was the light of our life and it'll never be as bright without her.

"She will always be with us, the three of us together are our mum and we will do our best in life to make her so proud."

 Jane Tweddle, 51, was killed in the attack while waiting with a friend to collect her kids after the concert
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Jane Tweddle, 51, was killed in the attack while waiting with a friend to collect her kids after the concert
 Jane was a close pal of former England boss Sam Allardyce and was the ex-wife of his right-hand man Mark Taylor
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Jane was a close pal of former England boss Sam Allardyce and was the ex-wife of his right-hand man Mark TaylorCredit: Dave Nelson
 Mark Taylor has been a close friend and colleague of Sam for two decades since they first worked together at Blackpool
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Mark Taylor has been a close friend and colleague of Sam for two decades since they first worked together at BlackpoolCredit: PA:Press Association

Jane is the ex-wife of Mark Taylor, the former Blackpool winger who has been Allardyce's right-hand man at several clubs.

Sam's shock decision to quit as Crystal Palace manager so he could "savour life" came just hours after he learned the heartbreaking news.

Sam's wife Lynn broke down in tears outside their home in Bolton yesterday.

She said: "I haven't stopped crying. I have been in tears all day.

"Sam spoke to Mark this morning. Mark could hardly speak, Sam could hardly speak.

"It is just horrendous. I am shaking like a leaf. We know them so well.

"It was so evil. They were there having the best time of their life and then it ended in pure evil.”

 Sam made the shock decision to quit as Crystal Palace manager just hours after the attack
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Sam made the shock decision to quit as Crystal Palace manager just hours after the attackCredit: PA:Press Association

Asked if Jane's tragic death triggered Sam’s resignation, Lynn added: "I am sorry, I just don't want to speak about it."

Jane had been looking forward to a holiday in Berlin with her daughters Harriet, 24, Lily, 22, and Isabelle, 20 - a Christmas treat from her girls.

Ex-husband Mark said: "Jane was obviously a very, very lovely lady and a very good mother to three daughters.

"She was full of life and very energetic with the children, going to functions and all sort of different things like skiing. We had loads of happy times."

He said Jane and her pal had been out for dinner and were waiting in the foyer for her kids when the explosion happened.

He said Jane's friend and her kids were ok.

 Jane was due to go on holiday with her three daughters
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Jane was due to go on holiday with her three daughtersCredit: Facebook

Mark and Sam first worked together at Blackpool in 1995, developing a strong relationship as manager and physiotherapist which took the side to the play-offs.

They later joined forces at Bolton Wanderers, where Mark was appointed head of sports science and medicine by Sam.

Sam also brought Mark with him when he was appointed Newcastle manager, and he later worked with Sam as performance director for Sunderland.

 

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