RIP Andy Leebetter

‘Heartbreaking’: Hull footballers in minute’s silence for Andy Leebetter, Park Athletic manager who has died at 36

please log in to view this image

A POPULAR football manager has died at the age of 36 after developing a skin disease.

Andy Leebetter, who founded Park Athletic Football Club, died suddenly after a short illness, which began when he contracted cellulitis – an infection of the layers of the skin – earlier this year.

Mr Leebetter, who lived in west Hull with his partner, Lynne Sonnabend, was a full-time foster carer who dedicated his life to his foster children and football.

His brother James Leebetter, 32, of Kingswood, said he will be remembered as a warm-hearted man who was liked by everyone.

He said: "He was just so warm as a person. Everyone who was lucky enough to meet him, whether they played with him or against him, liked him. He had the sharpest wit and his humour was unrivalled.

"He was not just my brother, he was everything to me – my coach, my supervisor, my manager, my rock, my best friend and my hero.

"Our parents split up when I was two and Andy has always been like a father figure to me. Life will never be the same without him.

"He always said to me that I was his hero, but the irony is, I will never be the man he was.

"He will live on in the hearts of so many people. My heart is broken right now and I have never, ever felt pain like this."

Mr Leebetter started the football club, based in Cranbrook Avenue, north Hull, in 2004.

His brother said he aimed to make it into a successful club, which held the motto of "always doing the right thing".

Mr Leebetter had been involved in football coaching across the region for 20 years.

His brother said, during that time, he had given many boys the opportunity to play football and had even offered a home to some.

The club plays in the East Riding FA County Premier League, and also has an under-18s side in division one of the Hull Boys Sunday Football League.

The East Riding FA has confirmed there will be a minute's silence before each match on Saturday.

James has confirmed he will now take over as manager at the club.

He said: "Because of problems with his knee, Andy stopped playing amateur football when he was about 16, but he took me up and down the country, supporting me to play.

"I was a bit like his project. He fulfilled his footballing ambitions through me and now he has gone I'll fulfil them for him and take the club forward."

Mr Leebetter first became ill at the beginning of this year with cellulitis, which restricted his mobility.

A short illness followed and he never returned to full health. He was admitted to Hull Royal Infirmary on September 29 and died 13 days later, on Sunday.

His brother said: "It was a shock. He was seemingly on the mend. But suddenly there was a big deterioration."

William Hardcastle, who played for Mr Leebetter for six years, said the club and its players are all still in shock.

"It's heartbreaking and we are all struggling to cope with the loss," said Mr Hardcastle, 29, of Cottingham.

"I knew he was ill but I didn't know how bad it was. We thought it would be a long road to recovery.

"He was incredibly intelligent, very smart, very switched on.

"He was passionate about football. It was a big part of his life but it was also about the people.

"He made the club and he developed it, giving many boys the chance to play football over the past 20 years. It is testament to Andy that in the ten years since its formation, Park Athletic has become exactly what he intended.

"His desire to do things the right way was recognised by everyone involved in local football.

"I know I played the best football I've ever played under him.

"At 36, he leaves us far too young. I miss him immeasurably but in the sporting community and within Park Athletic his name will live on forever."

Since his death on Sunday, surrounded by his family, hundreds of people have changed their profile pictures on Facebook to the Park Athletic club badge as a mark of respect.

Mr Leebetter's funeral will be held at 10.30am on Wednesday at the crematorium in Chanterlands Avenue, west Hull.

http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/8216...tory-23197599-detail/story.html#ixzz3GOagjEHY