A non-league footballer died after collapsing on the pitch during a match on Monday, his club has announced. Shaw Lane defender Daniel Wilkinson, 26, collapsed during a cup game at Brighouse's St Giles Road stadium. He was treated on the pitch before being taken to Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax. "He was such a great lad. I don't how we move on," Craig Elliot, manager of the Barnsley-based club, who play in England's eighth tier, told BBC Sport. "It's just devastating. Everyone went to the hospital. We all deal with it in different ways, but we just have to support the family as much as we can. "His mum and dad are such brave people. We signed him in pre-season, he had just finished university at Loughborough and moved in with his girlfriend in Sheffield." The Northern Premier League Division One South side led the preliminary-round game 2-0 when Wilkinson collapsed with an hour played. The match was abandoned. Wilkinson started his career at Hull City, signing his first professional contract in 2010, before loan moves to Harrogate Town and North Ferriby United. He later played for Loughborough University, Scarborough Athletic and Goole, and joined Shaw Lane from Rushall Olympic in the summer.
This really is shocking news, just cannot imagine what his friends and family must be feeling. RIP Dan.
You just never know whats around the corner. Very very sad, I saw twitter last night and feared the worst. I have kids a similar age and things like this make me want to give them an extra hug.
Horrible news He was younger than both my kids Heartbreaking for his family and friends I have literally no idea how I'd deal with it, and I hope I never find out
Hull City @HullCity | A minute’s silence will be held ahead of kick-off against @Arsenal in memory of Daniel Wilkinson.
