ENGLAND dedicated their game with Poland on Wednesday evening to teenage footballer Dylan Rich who tragically passed away at the weekend.
The 17-year-old collapsed during an FA Youth Cup game between West Bridgford Colts and Boston United on Thursday.
Rich was treated with a defibrillator at the West Bridgford Colts ground.
Paramedics then arrived and he was transported to the Queen’s Medical Centre.
Tragically, Dylan suffered a second cardiac arrest in the ambulance as he was being rushed to hospital.
He then sadly died on Sunday.
The England team held a shirt with Dylan’s name on before their game against Poland in Warsaw.
The national team’s Twitter account posted the photo and added the caption: “Rest in peace, Dylan Rich. Forever in our thoughts.”
The West Bridgford School, which Dylan attended, were left devastated by the youngster’s death.
Head teacher Tim Peacock said: “We are a school in mourning.
“We have a lost a wonderful, much-loved, talented member of our community. This loss will be felt deeply by many people.
“At the moment our focus is on supporting his family, friends, classmates and teachers through this difficult time.”
And West Bridgford Colts chairman Peter Stansbury, who confirmed that the ambulance arrived within 10 minutes of the incident, added: “It is an extra tragedy for the club that such a great lad and such a lovely family have had this dreadful thing happen to them.
“It was a great opportunity for our players to play in a national competition and tragedy struck two or three minutes into the game when Dylan Rich collapsed on the pitch.
“Our hearts go out to the parents because I’m a father-of-three and the idea of this happening is just truly tragic.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
