Non-league footballer dies after collapsing in cup game

Daniel Wilkinson, a footballer with non-league club Shaw Lane AFC, has died after collapsing on the field of play during a cup match against Brighouse Town.

The club, who play in the Northern Premier League Division One South, confirmed the news on their Facebook page this morning. Chairman Craig Wood thanked fans and well-wishers for their support, and tributes have continued to pour in. The cup match was abandoned when Wilkinson collapsed, and the BBC report that he was treated on the pitch before being taken to the Calderdale Royal Hospital in nearby Halifax. 'It is with great sadness that we have to announce the tragic loss of Daniel Wilkinson who has sadly passed away after collapsing on the pitch during the game last night, our thoughts and prayers are with [his] family and friends at this time,' a statement from the club chairman reads. 'The club would like to thank everyone for their heartfelt messages and thoughts that we have received throughout the night. There are no more words at this time.' More tributes to the player have continued to arrive on Twitter and Facebook in the light of the news, with representatives and supporters of other non-league clubs among those to pay their respects. https://twitter.com/DeanSpencer11/status/775589921092464640 https://twitter.com/StaveleyMWFC/status/775594922326056960 https://twitter.com/Dosborne83/status/775586229630935040 Listen to The GAA Hour live in Castlebar with Brendan Devenney, James Horan, and Pillar Caffrey. Subscribe here on iTunes.