Memorial Bench for Arsenal Fan Tom in Highbury Fields, Islington 2026

Key Points

• The family and friends of the late Arsenal enthusiast Tom Mann have been officially granted permission by the council to erect a memorial bench in Highbury Fields.
• Tom Mann died two years ago after he had a fatal accident when he was only 27 years old. He used to live in Rutland and moved to Islington.
• Previously, he stayed in a flat near the historical Highbury stadium together with his partner Phoebe for five years and never missed a game.
• The erection of the memorial bench has been authorized by the Islington Council but it will cost £1,400, hence his loved ones started a fundraising program.
• Apart from being a devoted Arsenal fan, Tom was a newly qualified lawyer and he worked as a volunteer in the food banks in London.
• The family set up the “Tom Mann Foundation” to assist grassroots football teams and any extra money collected in the bench campaign is being given to the charity.

London (Extra London News) August 28, 2026 – Friends and grieving family members of an ardent, lifelong Arsenal supporter who tragically lost his life in an accident nearly two years ago have been officially granted permission to place a commemorative bench in Highbury Fields to honour his lasting legacy, local reports reveal.

As reported by Finn Logue of the Islington Tribune, Tom Mann passed away at the young age of 27. Having originally grown up in Rutland, Tom was drawn inexorably toward the North London borough of Islington due to his consuming passion for Arsenal Football Club. During his life in the capital, he spent five years living directly within a flat inside the former Highbury stadium alongside his partner, Phoebe, maintaining a flawless attendance record where he “never missed a match.”

Why Will Highbury Fields Be Home to a Memorial Bench for Tom Mann?

The choice of Highbury Fields as the site for the memorial bench is deeply rooted in Tom’s profound personal connection to the local neighbourhood. Speaking exclusively to the Islington Tribune, his younger brother, Will Mann, shared intimate details about how deeply Tom cherished the area, stating that Tom “fell in love” with Islington and considered Highbury to be his ultimate “happy place.”

As reported by Finn Logue of the Islington Tribune, Will Mann stated that: “He was the biggest Arsenal fan I’ve ever met, but Highbury and Highbury Fields became something incredibly special to him beyond that.”

Elaborating further on why the location held such spiritual significance, Will Mann told the Islington Tribune that “The fields are such a nice contrast from the busyness of Highbury and Islington station and the stadium.”

Furthermore, as noted by the Islington Tribune, Will explained: “They were a sanctuary for him, he would walk here multiple times a week, to meet friends or with his partner, just to breath it in and enjoy being outdoors. So we put the bench here because he was just so in love with the area.”

How Much Will the Memorial Bench Cost and How Is It Being Funded?

Securing the official approval from Islington Council marks a major milestone for the family, but it also introduces a financial requirement. According to the Islington Tribune, Islington Council granted permission for the construction and placement of the bench, but stipulated that it would cost £1,400—a sum that friends and family are actively working to raise through community efforts.

To reach this financial goal, loved ones have organized a dedicated charity football match scheduled for Monday, August 31, while also establishing an online crowdfunding platform via GoFundMe to invite wider public contributions. As reported by the Islington Tribune, any financial donations that exceed the strict £1,400 cost of the bench will not go to waste; instead, they will be fully reinvested into the “Tom Mann Foundation” to support its ongoing community missions.

What Was Tom Mann’s Relationship With Arsenal Football Club?

Tom’s devotion to the Gunners was a lifelong defining characteristic. According to accounts shared by his brother with the Islington Tribune, Tom was “football obsessed” from as early as Will could remember, noting that by the age of just six, Tom was already telling his family that football was “his life.”

As reported by Finn Logue of the Islington Tribune, Tom played football to a remarkably high standard right up until his untimely passing and followed the North London club avidly both at home and away.

Reflecting on Tom’s unwavering loyalty to the club through its various sporting highs and lows, Will Mann told the Islington Tribune:

“He stuck with Arsenal, through thick and thin. It was a real shame he didn’t get to see us lift the Premier League trophy this year, that would’ve been life complete for him, he would’ve been over the moon.”

Will added a poignant family sentiment regarding the team’s recent successes, telling the Islington Tribune: “It’s one of those situations where you have to laugh or you’ll cry, that he wasn’t there to see it.”

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How Did Tom Mann Impact His Community and Friends in London?

Beyond his unmatched dedication to football, Tom was widely characterized by those who knew him as remarkably popular, charming, and deeply community-focused. His magnetic and bright personality naturally drew people toward him, a dynamic that ultimately shaped the migration of his social circle.

As reported by Finn Logue of the Islington Tribune, it was Tom’s early influence that initially inspired his brother Will to take an active interest in Arsenal, which later prompted Will to move to Highbury to live closer to his brother.

Will Mann told the Islington Tribune: “It was such a lovely spot for us both to be, so connected to the Arsenal. When I first moved to London I lived elsewhere but eventually I moved to Highbury, as basically all of his friends also did.”

Describing his brother’s personal charisma and warm presence, Will Mann told the Islington Tribune:

“He was a real magnet, just great to be around and just a real level-headed and warm bloke. His energy was infectious, people did just want to be around him.”

What Is the Legacy of the Tom Mann Foundation?

Tom’s commitment to helping others extended far beyond his social charm. Professionally, he had recently qualified as a lawyer, but he routinely dedicated his weekends and spare time to volunteering, actively assisting with local food banks and various charities across Islington and wider London.

Following his tragic death in October 2024, his family sought a meaningful way to channel his core values, aiming to carry forward his legacy of “spreading positivity” and “giving people opportunities” to enjoy the sport he loved. This vision materialized into the creation of the “Tom Mann Foundation,” an initiative designed to provide essential opportunities, equipment, and financial funding to grassroots football teams.

Through the upcoming charity match, community donations, and the installation of the memorial bench in Highbury Fields, Tom Mann’s family and friends are ensuring that his deep love for Arsenal, his radiant energy, and his tireless community spirit will remain permanently woven into the fabric of Highbury.