Lee Collins played 470 games in a career that began on loan to Hereford United in 2007
Yeovil city captain Lee Collins has died at the age of 32.
Collins began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers and spent time in Port Vale, Barnsley, Northampton Town, Mansfield Town and Forest Green Rovers before joining Yeovil in 2019.
He played his last game for the club on February 6 against Stockport.
Yeovil, who did not reveal the cause of Collins’ death, was due to face Altrincham in the National League on Friday but the game has been postponed.
“Everyone at Yeovil Town Football Club mourns the loss of Captain Lee Club,” the club said in a statement.
“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.”
Sheridan Robins, commentator for BBC Radio Somerset in Yeovil Town, told BBC Sport: “The main thing everyone will feel is a deep sense of shock.
“He was a real winner. I remember when he first came to the club we were down after being relegated to the National League.
“In his interview he was told that he wasn’t there to make friends, he wanted to win.
“He had his heart on the pitch on his sleeve and was known for his leadership. He was the epitome of a captain. He did everything in those 90 minutes to win the three points.”
Collins was injured for much of the season but returned to the bench in a 3-1 win over Barnet last week.
“I spoke to Yeovil manager Darren Sarll after the game and he told me how pleased he was to have Lee back,” added Robins.
“He was an old-fashioned midfielder and we haven’t seen him play much this season because of an injury.”
Mansfield Town owner John Radford – for whom Collins played from 2015 to 2017 – tweeted he was “shocked and sad” to learn of Collins’s death.
“A no-nonsense who fights on the field against a brave heart and a gentleman. A man who always gave everything in the colors of Stags,” added Radford.
