Lee Collins, captain of National League side Yeovil Town, has died at the age of 32.
The club confirmed the news on Thursday afternoon.
“All at Yeovil Town Football Club are mourning the loss of club captain Lee Collins,” read a statement on the team’s official website.
“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.
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“The club will make no further comment at this time.
“Our game with Altrincham tomorrow has been postponed.”
The cause of Collins’ death is as yet unknown.
The defender, whose last appearance for Yeovil came on 6 February and saw him sent off against Stockport, started his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers before spells at Port Vale, Barnsley, Northampton Town, Mansfield Town and Forest Green Rovers.
BBC Radio Somerset’s Yeovil Town commentator Sheridan Robins told BBC Sport: “The main thing that everyone will be feeling is a deep sense of shock.
“He was a real winner. I remember when he first joined the club we were at rock bottom, having been relegated to the National League. In his interview he was said he wasn’t there to make friends, he wanted to win.
“He wore his heart on his sleeve on the pitch and was known for his leadership, he was the epitome of a captain, he did everything he could in that 90 minutes to win the three points.”
Injuries had disrupted Collins’ campaign this season, but he returned to the bench last week as Yeovil beat Barnet 3-1.
“After the game I spoke to Yeovil manager Darren Sarll and he told me how pleased he was to have Lee back,” Robins said.
“He was an old fashioned centre-half and we’ve not seen him play a lot this season because of injury.”
