Yeovil announce the death of club captain Lee Collins at the age of 32
BREAKING NEWS: Yeovil Town club captain Lee Collins dies aged 32, after a 470-game 15-year career that began at Wolves academy
- Yeovil Town have announced their club captain Lee Collins has died aged 32
- The defender was an unused substitute in their game against Barnet on Saturday
- Circumstances surrounding his death on Wednesday have not been released
- Friday’s National League fixture against Altrincham has been postponed
- Collins has made over 470 career appearances, including many in the EFL
- Several of his former clubs tweeted tributes after Yeovil broke the news
Yeovil Town’s club captain Lee Collins has died at the age of 32.
The defender counted Wolves, Port Vale, Barnsley, Northampton, Mansfield and Forest Green as former club and had spent two years with the National League club.
The circumstances surrounding Collins’ death have not been released. Collins had a partner Rachel and three daughters, Amelia-Grace, Laila-Rose and Charley-Mae.
Their National League fixture against Altrincham on Friday has been postponed.
Collins was an unused substitute in Yeovil’s last match – a 3-1 win over Barnet in the league last Saturday. The club said he died on Wednesday.
Liverpool were among a host of clubs in England and beyond who paid their respects on social media.
Yeovil Town’s club captain Lee Collins has passed away at the age of 32, the club announced
Collins is pictured warming up ahead of Yeovil’s National League game against Barnet last weekend
Collins, a centre-back, signed for the Glovers in 2019 after playing for several EFL clubs
The National League club tweeted out the news on Thursday afternoon and tributes poured in
Ian Holloway sent his own tribute at the ‘absolutely awful news’ after Collins passed away
Liverpool were one of dozens of clubs in England and beyond who sent their condolences
Karl Henry tweeted a tribute, saying Collins was ‘a good lad with a great attitude’
His former team-mate at Northampton, Ivan Toney, thanked Collins for helping him
A club statement read: ‘All at Yeovil Town Football Club are mourning the loss of club captain Lee Collins.
‘Lee sadly passed away yesterday and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
‘We ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy at this time.
‘The club will make no further comment at this time.
‘Our game with Altrincham tomorrow has been postponed.’
Collins in action as Yeovil’s captain against Barnet in last season’s National League play-offs
Collins pictured playing for former club Northampton Town in a 2013 game with Exeter City
Collins also captained Mansfield Town, where he made 82 appearances over two seasons
Collins, who hails from Telford in Shropshire, began his career in the academy at Wolves but didn’t make a first team appearance for the then-Championship club.
During a loan spell at Hereford United in 2007-08, he helped the club win promotion from League Two into League One.
He joined Port Vale in 2008, playing 163 times for the League Two side, before moving on to Barnsley in 2011.
His former club Northampton Town were among many to tweet out tributes after the sad news
His first club Wolves also tweeted this tribute after Collins’ passing – he was in the club academy at the start of his career
Mansfield Town paid tribute to their former captain. Collins played there for two seasons
He was part of the Hereford side, during a loan spell, that won promotion into League One
Another former club, Forest Green Rovers, sent their own tribute on Twitter
Premier League club Leeds United were among the many clubs sending their condolences
Former West Ham forward Frank Nouble, now at Colchester on loan, paid his respects
The centre-back made seven appearances for the Tykes before being sent out on loan to Shrewsbury Town.
He then moved on to Northampton Town, playing 86 times for the club, and moved on to Mansfield and Forest Green in League Two.
Former clubs Wolves and Northampton, as well as others in the Premier League, the EFL and beyond, tweeted tributes as the sad news broke on Thursday afternoon.
Ian Holloway tweeted: ‘Absolutely awful news. My thoughts are with Lee’s family & friends and everyone at YTFC. Ollie x.’
Collins pictured with Aidy Boothroyd, now England under-21 manager, when at Northampton
Collins with Adebayo Akinfenwa during their days playing together for the Cobblers
Former team-mate posted their own tributes on Twitter.
Ex-Wolves player Karl Henry said: ‘Such sad news. I remember Lee as a young player at Wolves. He was a good lad with a great attitude.’
Ivan Toney, his colleague at Northampton, said: ‘Such sad news. A former teammate always helped me as a young boy coming through. Thoughts go out to his friends and family at such a difficult period.’
Death comes just two weeks after Steve Jagielka’s death at 43
Collins’ death comes just a couple of weeks after another footballer passed away at a young age.
Steve Jagielka, the brother of the former England international Phil, died at the age of 43 on March 17.
Midfielder Jagielka played for Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield United and Accrington Stanley during his playing career.
Former Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield United and Accrington Stanley midfielder Steve Jagielka died at the age of 43
