Footballer, 30, dies before game

Dave Gellett will be sorely missed, said the club's manager

The manager of a local football team has told of the "tragic blow" after his goalkeeper collapsed and died while warming up for a pre-season friendly.

Dave Gellett, 30, from Connah's Quay, Flintshire, was preparing to appear with Wepre Rangers at Holywell Town on Tuesday night.

A Holywell player tried to resuscitate him but the ex-Royal Navy serviceman was pronounced dead in hospital.

The match was called off. Both clubs have sent sympathy to the family.

Holywell manager Anthony Wallis said: "It happened during a warm-up.

"I could see some of his team-mates around him and I thought it was an injury at first. But then it looked like he was unconscious.

"Myself and one of our players, Chris Williams, tried to resuscitate him and when he stopped breathing we started CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

"Two nurses came down from the hospital in Holywell with a defibrillator. We helped them, and then let the paramedics take over when they arrived."

'Shocked'

Mr Wallis said they had been unable to find a pulse by the time paramedics arrived.

He added: "The match was called off. We're all shocked and deeply upset, but it's nothing compared to what his family must be feeling.

"Our hearts go out to them, and his team-mates."

A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust said: "We were called to an incident at Holywell Football Club at 7.22pm on 22 July.

"A rapid response vehicle and an emergency ambulance attended.

"The crew transported a 30-year-old male who had collapsed at the scene to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd."

The clubs were due to play a friendly at Holywell Town's ground

Wepre Rangers manager Eric Speed said the club wanted to offer its "profound condolences to Dave's family. Our thoughts are with them at this sad time".

He said Yeovil-born Mr Gellett had served for eight years in the Royal Navy, with tours of the Gulf and Bosnia.

"Dave enjoyed a close knit company of friends and was recently best man at a local wedding," he said.

"His death has been a tragic blow to all those who know him, he will be sorely missed."

Mr Gellett, who moved to Connah's Quay in the 1980s, leaves behind his parents, three sisters and a half-brother.

Mr Speed also thanked those who tried to help, including paramedics and nurses.

"I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all those who helped Dave after he collapsed, in particular Chris Williams," he said.

"Chris was in the Holywell Town team and administered CPR while we waited for the emergency services to arrive."