‘Fit’ footballer dies in club training session

Players from across the country send condolences after graduate collapses during warm-up

A GRADUATE in his twenties collapsed and died at a training session for an amateur football side in south London.

Kojo Baryeh was taking part in one of his first pre-season warm-ups for We s t s i d e FC w h e n h e fell to the ground.

Medics tried to save him but he died in hospital after the incident in Chestnut Grove, Balham, on Wednesday. The cause of death is being investigated.

Today members of the club spoke of their shock. Chairman Graham Holder, 71, told the Evening Standard: “It was a reserve team training session and he just collapsed and sadly died after he had been rushed to hospital. It’s tragic and the whole club has offered his family and friends any support they need.”

Players from clubs across the country sent messages of condolence to Westside FC. Professional midfielder John Bostock, a former graduate of Tottenham Hotspur academy, tweeted: “So saddened to hear this, my deepest condolences.” Mr Holder added: “The response we have had on Twitter and social media has been overwhelming. I wanted to send the messages from other clubs onto his family.

“We have offered counselling sessions to any of his friends or any of the players from either teams as we understand it must be incredibly hard for them.” Mahnoor Rauf, captain of Westside FC Ladies’ team, said: “I think he had come with a friend to training for the first time. I understand he collapsed and when they got to the hospital, doctors were unable to save him.”

Another well-wisher added: “Unbelievably tragic. A fit young man with his life still ahead of him. My prayers are with him and his family, friends and colleagues at this time.”

Mr Baryeh’s family were too distraught to speak today. His LinkedIn account said he graduated from the University of East London with a firstclass honours degree in accounting and finance, and he worked for marketing agency Essence. A friend wrote on social media: “Rest in power my fellow brother. Such a calm aura whenever I saw and spoke to you. I’m truly saddened by your early departure, you’ll be truly missed.”

Wandsworth-based Westside FC were promoted last season to the Combined Counties Football League Division One, the 10th tier of English football.

Following Mr Baryeh’s death, the club said: “Westside FC is saddened to announce that one of our players collapsed and died at training last night. Despite efforts by those there and the paramedics, sadly he could not be revived. Our condolences go to his family and friends.”

Police are not investigating his death, which is expected to be passed to the coroner.

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“Unbelievably tragic”: Kojo Baryeh, pictured at his graduation from the University of East London, was training with Westside FC