Western Daily Press (Saturday)
TRIBUTES TO ‘LEADER OF MEN’ LEE
SCORES of floral tributes and poignant messages were yesterday laid outside Yeovil Town’s Huish Park stadium in memory of club captain Lee Collins.
The former Wolves player died on Wednesday at the age of only 32 in circumstances police described as sudden but not suspicious.
Since Yeovil Town FC confirmed the tragic news, fans and footballers across the country have flooded social media with heartfelt tributes.
Bunches of flowers were left in a long line outside Huish Park yesterday as well as Yeovil scarves and kit marked with messages.
One message read: “Lee, our captain, my friend.
“A leader of men, my ‘go to’ guy. We’ll miss you running our changing room.
“Sleep well skip.”
Yeovil’s game against Altrincham, which was due to take place yesterday, was postponed. There were poignant scenes at grounds around the country yesterday as all National League matches began with a minute’s silence in his honour.
Current and former teammates have also shared emotional tributes on Twitter, describing Lee as “the greatest man you could meet” who will be “deeply missed”.
Scott Laird, now player-assistant manager at Weston-Super-Mare FC, played with Lee while they were at Forest Green Rovers.
He wrote: “Collo over the last 4 years became one of my closest friends. My running partner & my captain.
“We became inseparable at FGR. “He helped me through a tough time in my football career by just being an ear to chew & to make me laugh. To receive the news today has hit & hurt me bad...
“My thoughts are with your beautiful girls and family. RIP my friend.”
Yeovil player Max Hunt tweeted: “The greatest man you could meet a pleasure to have known you.
“Condolences to his family, rest easy skip.”
Teammate Alex Bradley added: “Cannot believe I’m writing this. What a great man you were, a true leader on and off the pitch.
“It was an honour playing alongside you and my deepest condolences go to Lee’s family and friends.
“Rest easy up there mate you will be deeply missed.”
The club has not provided any information about how Lee died.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset police said: “Officers attended a report of a sudden death at an address in High Street, West Coker [on Wednesday] evening at about 5pm.
“Sadly, the body of a 32-year-old man was located.
“His death is not being treated as suspicious and has been referred to the coroner. His family have been informed and our thoughts are with them.”