‘You’re my best friend, my other half, my go to’: Lee Collins’ partner Rachel pens emotional tribute after Yeovil Town captain’s death aged 32 – and flowers, jerseys and scarves are left outside Huish Park as supporters also pay their respects
The partner of the late Lee Collins has paid a touching tribute to the Yeovil Town club captain after his sudden death at the age of 32.
The defender, who spent two years with the National League team, was found dead on Wednesday in circumstances police are not treating as suspicious.
After the tragic news of his passing, the football world united in mourning, and Rachel Gibbon, who shared three children with Collins, penned a heartfelt message.
Rachel Gibbon (right) has paid a touching tribute to her partner, the late Lee Collins (centre), after the Yeovil Town defender’s sudden passing this week
Collins played for Yeovil for two years and was found dead on Wednesday at the age of 32
Rachel described Collins as her ‘best friend, my other half, my go to’ in an emotional message
‘Lee Collins. You’re their captain, their leader, their champ,’ she wrote. ‘You’re my best friend, my other half, my go to.
‘I don’t know how to do this without you but I promise, I’ll give it a good go for our girls. Thank you all for kind messages, wishes and thoughts.’
Collins has left behind daughters Amelia-Grace, Laila-Rose and Charley-Mae.
Tributes have been laid outside Huish Park today after the news of Collins’ tragic passing broke
A number of scarves, flowers and jerseys have been accompanied by messages of condolence
A large number of supporters headed to Huish Park on Friday morning to pay their own solemn respects.
A colourful array of jerseys, flowers and scarves have been laid out along a stretch outside the ground.
Most of the tributes have been accompanied by messages of condolence.
Two people are pictured paying their own respects for Collins as tributes continued to pile in
One emotional message described Collins as a ‘leader of men’, ‘our captain’ and ‘my friend’
A classic Yeovil top was also placed on the ground and signed with messages from several fans
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: ‘Officers attended a report of a sudden death at an address in High Street, West Coker yesterday evening at about 5pm.
‘Sadly, the body of a 32-year-old man was located.
‘His death is not being treated as suspicious and has been referred to the coroner. His family have been informed and our thoughts are with them.’
Yeovil’s upcoming fixture against Altrincham, originally scheduled to take place today, has been postponed.
The National League club tweeted out the news on Thursday afternoon after Collins’ passing
A Yeovil flag was adorned on the wall above the sea of messages and a large number of flowers
Yeovil’s fixture against Altrincham, which was scheduled for Friday, has now been postponed
A minute’s silence will be held before the other games in the division kick-off.
Collins was an unused substitute in Yeovil’s last match – a 3-1 win over Barnet – and last featured for them in their defeat by Stockport County on February 6.
He also played for Wolves, Port Vale, Barnsley, Northampton, Mansfield and Forest Green throughout his career.
Collins is pictured ahead of Yeovil’s National League encounter against Barnet last weekend
A club statement from Yeovil read: ‘All at Yeovil Town Football Club are mourning the loss of club captain Lee Collins.
‘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.’
