Ex-Premier League ace dies in crash
IN CAR ACCIDENT AT AGE OF 37
FORMER Bolton defender Jlloyd Samuel has been killed in a car accident in Cheshire. He was 37.
In a statement, Cheshire Police said Samuel died following a crash involving the 4x4 he was driving and a van at High Legh, near Warrington.
A police spokesman said: “At around 7.55am police were called following reports of a collision involving a van and a Range Rover near to Costcutter on West Lane.
“Sadly the driver of the car, Jlloyd Samuel, 37, from Lymm, died at the scene.
“His next of kin have been informed and are currently being supported by specially-trained officers.
“The driver of the van, a 54-yearold man, sustained serious injuries and has been taken to hospital for treatment.”
Samuel was born in Trinidad before moving to England where he represented London Schoolboys teams.
He played youth football for Charlton before joining Aston Villa, where he made 199 appearances between 1999 and 2007.
Samuel was capped by England from Under-18 to Under-21 level and was an unused substitute for a senior international against Sweden in 2004.
He attempted to switch international allegiance before Trinidad and Tobago played at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Although his application was rejected by FIFA because he was over 21 at the time, he represented Trinidad and Tobago in 2009 and won two caps.
Samuel also had loan spells at Gillingham and Cardiff before ending his playing career in Iran in 2015.
Tributes flooded in after Samuel’s death was announced with United’s Ashley Young, a former Villa team-mate, tweeting: “Absolutely gutted to hear the news of the passing of Jlloyd Samuel.
“Took me under his wing when I joined Villa and helped me settle.
“Such a good guy on and off the pitch and a truly good friend. Condolences to Emma, his kids and the Samuel family. RIP J”
Another former Villa player, Stan Collymore, added: “Devastating news about Jlloyd Samuel. Was a fantastic young pro @AVFCOfficial and I know many at our club will be truly distraught.” Villa said on their official Twitter account: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of our former player Jlloyd Samuel at the age of just 37 in a car accident.”
“Our players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect tonight (last night’s Championship play-off in which Villa ran out winners) and our thoughts are with his friends and family at this very difficult time.”
Bolton’s Stuart Holden tweeted: “Absolutely devastated. Jlloyd was a huge family man and was loved in the Locker room. RIP Lloydy, thinking of your family at this time. #bwfcfamily” Manchester United’s Ashley Young