Inquest reveals how 32 year old Yeovil captain Lee Collins died

An inquest reveals how 32 year old Yeovil Town captain Lee Collins tragically died at a hotel room back in March 2021, a shock to everyone.

Collins was found dead by Yeovil Town assistant manager Terry Skiverton in the Lanes Hotel in West Corker, Somerset on the 31st of March.

An inquest into his death was opened with Tony Williams, the senior coroner for Somerset, presiding.

Mr Williams was told during a hearing in Taunton in April that Collins was found hanging in his hotel room. He subsequently heard he had been “struggling with injuries and personal problems”.

He also suffered with long-term alcohol and gambling issues and the recreational use of cocaine.

On Wednesday, Mr Williams ruled that Collins took his own life with cocaine and alcohol in his system, as shown by toxicology tests.

In a statement to the inquest, partner Rachel Gibbon described Collins as a “gentle giant, the kindest, most generous man you could have met”. She also said there were two sides to his “very complex character”.

Collins made a total of 470 appearances throughout his senior career, playing for the likes of Wolves, Hereford, Port Vale, Barnsley, Shrewsbury, Northampton, Mansfield, Forest Green and Yeovil Town.

In a lengthy statement read to the inquest, Mr Collins’ partner Rachel Gibbon described him as a “very complex character”.

“There was a Lee Collins that the world saw and a Lee that only those closest to him saw,” Ms Gibbon said.

“On the surface, Lee was confident, cool and collected. He had time for everyone and anyone and if he didn’t have very much time, he would make it.”

Ms Gibbon described her partner as a “class clown” who would make people laugh with his “infectious personality”.

“The Lee that no-one else saw was a completely different person,” she said.

“He was insecure, anxious and lost. Lee had an addictive personality. Whatever it is he was doing, he was doing it 110%.”

She told the inquest that Mr Collins had an “intermittent addiction” to gambling throughout their relationship, but his “main addiction” was drinking.

“Lee was an alcoholic. No-one really knew the extent of how bad his drinking was,” Ms Gibbon said.

“Lee drinking was never an issue and was recreational until he started to use it as a crutch for his mental health.”

In an open letter published by the Glovers, Gibbon wrote: “I just wanted to say a few words to thank you all, both those here at Yeovil Town F.C. and further afield in the footballing community, on both mine and Lee’s wider family’s behalf.

“I’m not too sure on the right words to say, to express how thankful I am and how much your well wishes and kindness mean throughout what has been extremely difficult time.

“We are, understandably, devastated by the loss of Lee. Every single day is now a lesson, learning to live without him and ways to cope.

“I personally visited the floral tributes left at the ground for Lee on a couple of occasions and I read every single card, note, picture and beautiful words written by people for Lee. I am truly touched by everyone’s kindness.”

These free helplines are there to help when you’re feeling down or desperate.

Unless it says otherwise, they’re open 24 hours a day, every day.

You can also call these helplines for advice if you’re worried about someone else.

Samaritans – for everyone
Call 116 123
Email jo@samaritans.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day
Visit the webchat page

Papyrus – for people under 35
Call 0800 068 41 41 – 9am to midnight every day
Text 07860 039967
Email pat@papyrus-uk.org

Childline – for children and young people under 19
Call 0800 1111 – the number will not show up on your phone bill

SOS Silence of Suicide – for everyone
Call 0300 1020 505 – 4pm to midnight every day
Email support@sossilenceofsuicide.org

Message a text line

If you do not want to talk to someone over the phone, these text lines are open 24 hours a day, every day.

Shout Crisis Text Line – for everyone

Text “SHOUT” to 85258

YoungMinds Crisis Messenger – for people under 19

Text “YM” to 85258

Talk to someone you trust

Let family or friends know what’s going on for you. They may be able to offer support and help keep you safe.

There’s no right or wrong way to talk about suicidal feelings – starting the conversation is what’s important.

Who else you can talk to

If you find it difficult to talk to someone you know, you could:

• call a GP – ask for an emergency appointment
• call 111 out of hours – they will help you find the support and help you need
• contact your mental health crisis team – if you have one

Fans reacted as the inquest reveals how the much loved 32 year old Yeovil captain Lee Collins died…

@nathan_ridley_: So sad – help is out there for anyone https://thecalmzone.net

@liamcox73: RIP. Lee Collins . We all know characters like Lee in our football teams.. life and soul of the party but inside 🤷‍♂️. #teammates #MentalHealthMatters

@voodoobluesman: Bless you #LeeCollins Most important thing to remember is what a great player and human being you were.

@Dan_Howell_99: Forever in our thoughts Collo

@Brad_Northcott: Hard to read the Lee Collins news. Worth noting 2 things. 1) We have no idea what people are going through. 2) Everybody at the club has handled the past 4 months as well as they could have. Spare a thought for Terry Skiverton in particular. #ytfc

@RyanBlatchford: Like so many other town fans, I to have just read, and am deeply saddened by the coroners inquest into the death of Lee Collins. If you’re struggling with anything please, please talk to someone. Anyone. 😢🙏

@bucc_na39: Very sad for him and all those that knew him. But you cannot really know what is going through someone’s mind or how they might be suffering inside.