Friends and family are grieving the loss of a ‘much-loved’ and ‘talented’ 17-year-old footballer who died at the weekend.

Teenager Dylan Rich was playing in an FA Youth Cup match between West Bridgford Colts and Boston United in Nottinghamshire on Thursday when he suddenly collapsed.

He was thought to have suffered a cardiac arrest and a second in the ambulance on his way to hospital.

His club confirmed his death on Sunday.

His head teacher, of West Bridgford School, told the BBC: ‘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.’

Peter Stansbury, chair of West Bridgford Colts, said Dylan had played at the club since he was six years old. His sister Lucy also played, and his dad Mike coached.

He 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.’

A defibrillator was brought to the scene very quickly and an ambulance arrived within 10 minutes of being called. The match was abandoned after the tragic events.

The club said in a statement: ‘It is with great sadness that, following the events of Thursday evening, we have to announce the tragic passing of Dylan Rich.

‘This news has left everyone involved with our club devastated and heartbroken.

‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to his parents Mike and Anna, his sister Lucy and Dylan’s family, friends and teammates.

‘The club would like to thank everyone within the Colts and wider football community for the hundreds of heartfelt messages and thoughts that we have received over the past few days.

‘The club will provide all the support it can to those players and club officials impacted by this tragic event, but for now there are no further words possible, and we ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy at this incredibly difficult time.’

The team’s home ground, Regatta Way Sports Club, will remain open all week for people to lay flowers and messages in his memory.

The FA said in a statement: ‘Everyone at The FA is deeply saddened by the tragic news that West Bridgford Colts FC player Dylan Rich passed away.

‘We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everybody at the club at this very difficult time.

‘We would like to recognise the courageous response of all those who reacted quickly to the situation at the FA Youth Cup fixture on Thursday evening and we thank the emergency services for their efforts.

‘We ask that the privacy of both his family and club is respected at this time.’

Aston Villa’s Ashley Young tweeted: ‘Thoughts and prayers to the family of Dylan Rich. Sad sad news.’

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