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Tampa area Brits react to Manchester attack

They say Manchester will persevere
Posted at 5:25 PM, May 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-23 17:29:42-04

 Sally Nichols cooks up all things English at Cook’s Deli in South Tampa.

"You can have cottage pie and bangers and mash, curry and all those things,” said Nichols.

But as the Windsor native works behind the counter Tuesday, she is once again feeling the heartbreak of a terrorist attack in her home country.

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“We did go through our minds if we did have any friend’s children in college there, which would be about that age. But at this time we don’t thankfully," she said.

Mad Dogs & Englishmen owner Wilton Morley took his 15-year-old daughter to a concert in London just four months ago. 

“So it really hit me. I really thought that could have been us,” he said.

He said attacks against England are just a way of life, from World War II, to the conflict with the Irish Republican Army.

“In some ways we are probably more used to it than the Americans. This kind of terrorism.”

Both said those in Manchester will persevere. 

“They will rally and they are very tough Northern strong wonderful spirited people,” said Nichols.

“Unfortunately there is very little you can do. You just have to keep going,” said Morley.

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The Glazer family, owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, also own Manchester United. The team is one of the world’s most famous sports franchises.

On its website they released this statement:

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected, including our supporters, club staff and members of our community such as the children from our Manchester United Foundation partner schools who were attending the concert at the Arena.

Club staff are ready to help the police and other emergency services in any way that may be required at this challenging time for our city.”