Family and friends have been left saddened after a young boy has was obsessed with sports, suddenly died on the pitch.
Ben Walker
A schoolboy footballer died on the pitch after suffering a suspected heart attack, Daily Star UK reports.
Ben Walker, 15, collapsed while playing in an under- 15s match.
Today tributes poured in for the sports-mad teenager who was described as “like a young Phil or Gary Neville”.
Flowers and football shirts were laid outside Thrapston Town Juniors FC’s ground at Kettering, Northants.
Ben was an Aston Villa fan and supporters will pay their respects with a round of applause in the 15th minute of their game against Brighton on Sunday.
Family friend Aaron Clipston said: “He was a real gentleman and a pleasure to be around.”
A statement on Thrapston Town FC’s website said: “It is with great sadness we learnt young Ben Walker passed away Friday night whilst doing the thing he loved, playing football for the U15s in a league game.”
Ben was also a promising wicket keeper and batsman.
Andrew Thomas, who coached Ben from when he first joined Thrapston Cricket Club aged nine, said: “Cricket and football were his main sports and he seemed to be equally adept at both of them – in the mould of a young Phil or Gary Neville.”