Whyteleafe 0A2 Tonbridge Angels - Tonbridge Angels footballer Junior Dian, 23, collapses and tragically dies during game at Whyteleafe

Whyteleafe 0 – 2 Tonbridge Angels
Location	15 Church Road, Whyteleafe, Surrey CR3 0AR
Kickoff	07/07/2015 19:45

WHYTELEAFE  0-2  TONBRIDGE ANGELS
(Match abandoned after 77 minutes due to serious injury)
Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 7^th July 2015
Stephen McCartney reports from Church Road

A footballer tragically lost his life overnight after collapsing during the second half of a pre-season friendly between Whyteleafe and Tonbridge Angels on Tuesday night.

Tonbridge Angels were leading 2-0 at the time of the 77^th minute abandonment – courtesy of two headed goals from Tom Phipp and Nathan Elder inside the opening five minutes.

Junior Dian, 23, was playing for Tonbridge Angels as a half-time substitute when he collapsed during the second half and both managers agreed to call a halt to proceedings as club staff battled to save the young man’s life out on the pitch.

Club staff – and then paramedics, who took a very long time to arrive at Whyteleafe’s football ground at Church Road – battled to save the defender’s life on the pitch.

It was announced on Wednesday morning that the player, who arrived at the ground along with Tonbridge players Jerrome Sobers and James Folkes, had passed away at St George’s Hospital in Tooting.

This is a sad, sad day for football in Kent and our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Dian on this most devastating day.

Tonbridge Angels FC issued the following statement as news of Dian’s tragic death came through on Wednesday morning.

“Very sad news has been received that Junior Dian, aged 23, passed away during the early hours of this morning.

“Today, football at Tonbridge Angels very much takes a back seat as everyone at the club tries to come to terms with this devastating news.

“Earlier the previous evening, Junior, a trialist with the club had suddenly collapsed on the pitch without warning during the second half of a pre-season friendly game away at Whyteleafe FC in Surrey.

“Despite the heroic efforts of the two physio’s present, together with paramedics who attended at the ground and staff at St Georges Hospital, Tooting, sadly his life could not be saved.”

A statement from Tonbridge Angels chairman Steve Churcher said: “This is devastating news and our only crumb of comfort is that Junior lost his life doing something he obviously enjoyed so much.

“All our thoughts and sympathies are with his family. Also I would like to thank everyone at Whyteleafe FC for their support and professionalism during this very distressing incident yesterday evening.”

Tributes are starting to pour in on Wednesday morning, as players, management staff and the Kent football family come to terms with another bad day in the game that we all care passionately about.

Rest in Peace Junior Dian.

Third Article published: 08:30 – 08/07/2015

Whyteleafe: Sheikh Ceesay, Tommy Smith (trialist 46), Nathan Simpson (Gary Webb 46), Louis Hollingsworth (Tom Pratt 46), Jermal King (Dean Hanlon 46), Osa Obamwonyi (trialist 46), Ryan Fowler (Josh Double 46, Junior Kumbi 65), Fernan Francis (Aaron Leecox 46), Roscoe Dsane (Louis Longhurst 46), Jason Henry (Dylan Merchant 46), Jensen Grant (Shawn Lyle 46).

Tonbridge Angels: Anthony Di Bernado (Aaron McGuigan 56), James Folkes (Junior Dian 46), Jack Parter (Callum McCarthy 56), Lee Carey (Tom Pearson 46), Sonny Miles (Laurence Ball 46), Jerrome Sobers (Charlie Slocombe 43), Nick Wheeler (Cameron Milham 56), Tom Phipp (Ben Steele 46), Nathan Elder (Luke Blewden 46), Tommy Whitnell (Aiden Blanchard 46), Charlie Webster (Bret Milham 46).

Goals: Tom Phipp 4, Nathan Elder 5

Attendance: 80
Referee: Mr Mark Edwards (Sutton, Surrey)
Assistants: Mr Kieron Horne (Caterham, Surrey) & Mr Martin Williams (Horley, Surrey)