Yeovil Town boss issues a statement on death of Lee Collins

Yeovil Town boss Darren Sarll issues a statement a week on since the death of footballer Lee Collins, sadly at the age of 32.

It was another afternoon of clubs up and down the nation paying tribute prior to kick off in the National League, and the Glovers are still out of action as the continue to grieve.

After the Bank Holiday football from the top tier of non league, the player’s manager has penned an open letter, fair to say you’ll need some tissues because it’s about to get tearful…

Darren Sarll has penned an open letter following last week’s tragic news.#YTFC 💚

— Yeovil Town FC (@YTFC) April 5, 2021

STATEMENT

Yeovil Town boss issues a statement on the death of Lee Collins: Nothing in life can prepare you for what has happened in the last week. The sadness that has consumed all of us at Huish Park has been overwhelming – each of us attempting to cope in our own different ways. In the depths of this darkness though I think is it important to acknowledge just how many people have messaged, called and paid their respects to the man we called captain. On behalf of all the players and the management team we cannot thank you enough. The support and love you have offered, once again, demonstrates the power of football and the family it creates.

The ground has been flooded with flowers, scarves, shirts and messages paying respects to Lee. Seeing this visible representation of our shared love for Lee grow day by day, has brought me great comfort. Huish Park is where I spent the majority of my time with Lee, and at the moment this is where I feel his sudden loss most intensely. But this is also where I’ll always feel closest to him. So, sharing this space with so many moving tributes from the fans helps all of us here feel slightly less alone in our grief and for that we are deeply grateful. 

In respect to Lee’s teammates, they are all dealing with his loss in their own individual way, and we will do all we can to support them through this immensely challenging time. One of Lee’s teammates recently described Lee as “our glue” and I take great comfort in thinking of him in that way. What better tribute could there be to our captain than that – through his immense skill as a leader he brought the changing room together and when necessary, kept it in line! Even now as we process his loss, we are united again through Lee with our fans and with his family. Once again, he is “our glue”. 

I would like to take the chance to thank the National League and all the clubs that have held a minute’s silence in Lee’s honour over the last week. It is obvious that Lee had a huge effect on everyone he came across and all the wonderful football clubs he represented. We are very grateful for the love and support.

As you would expect Lee’s wonderful family are rallying round each other and learning how to cope and move forward in their new reality. I would ask that we continue to respect their privacy at this difficult time and allow them the space they need. But I would like them to know that the YTFC family is and will be here for you whenever you need it. We take care of our own here and Lee was and will always be one of our own. 

Lastly, to Lee. I want to thank him for his unwavering trust and loyalty over the last 20 months. To say we were close is an understatement, he was and is ‘MY GUY’. I will remember his strength of character, his undeniable playing ability and his will to win. It will always make me smile when I reminisce about our times together behind the scenes at Huish Park and I know all those that shared a changing room with him will understand this sentiment and feel the same. He was one of a kind and I will miss him greatly.

Lee and I came here to win, to achieve and create the most wonderful lasting memories, and that is what we are going to do, with our #4 always by our side.

Fans reacted after the Yeovil Town boss issues a statement on the death of Lee Collins…

@sherryp99829898: Lovely words Darren, as fans we are here for you and the players too, as you will hear when we can get back into Huish Park. Achieve by unity

@JoanneR79052129: You can feel Darren’s pain in those lovely words. My heart goes out to all at YTFC

@AlfordMattt: As tough to read, that was very special and one can only imagine how difficult it was to write. Thinking of everyone connected to Lee and YTFC. RIP

@therealbean88: Give that man a lifetime contract. I don’t want anyone else managing my club

@ytfcwattsy: Our gaffer. I’m crying again. So proud of the way everyone at this club has handled the darkest few days. From all the players and staff to the fans, everyone rallying around and supporting eachother. Our captain, always.

@jimmysmith_76: Lovely words. #footballunited

@callumgould16: The amount of people that paid tribute to Lee shows the impact he had on the people he met, I feel our club changed for better by having Lee as our captain, he really was a great captain and leader but it seems like he was an even greater man

@docko6: Lovely words this! More to life than football!

@CharlJenkins_: Beautiful words and I can’t even begin to imagine how hard it was for him to write that. You can tell how much he meant to him and how much of an impact he had on everyone he came across, such a heartbreaking loss

@Brad_Northcott: “Lee and I came here to win, to achieve and create the most wonderful lasting memories, and that is what we are going to do, with our #4 always by our side” .. Cant imagine the pain putting this together. The last paragraph in particular giving me chills.. Up The Gloves
🟢

@petehemborough7: Beautiful words from the Gaffer. Echoes the sentiments of everyone connected to #YTFC

@AlDinAtlantic: Lovely words, brought a lump to my throat. RIP Lee.

@BradHicks20: Brought a tear to my eye! Hope you finish the season strongly for him!

@roganjosh101: Hard read that. Our club 💚💚💚

@GavinCaney: If you read this without getting a lump in your throat you must have a heart made of stone

@F00TBALLAGENT: Proud to call Darren my friend. Keep your head up pal and stay strong. Thoughts with you and everyone at this difficult time.

Went for a dog walk earlier this evening and decided to head up to Huish Park to see the tribute for Lee Collins again as there has been a lot more added since I laid my flowers Friday. It’s so touching and heartbreaking but so clear to see how well loved he was. RIP skip 💔💚🤍 pic.twitter.com/JsUTR6y5Io

— Gemma Porter (@gl_porter) April 4, 2021

Well said Darren. My Manager.💚💚

— AJ🤙😳 (@ytfcaj00) April 5, 2021

Forever my manager🟢

— weloveyouytfc (@weloveyouytfc) April 5, 2021