Hull City’s academy has been left rocked by the death of its long-serving and popular coach Kris Blakeston at the age of 40.
Blakeston had worked in
City’s youth ranks for 12 years in a number of roles, helping to set a number of youngsters on their way to first-team stardom.
He had coached in every age group of the Tigers’ academy and this season had been in charge of the club’s under-13s team.
City’s East Riding Senior Cup tie against Hall Road Rangers on Tuesday night was postponed as a mark of respect.
Blakeston passed away on Monday following a short battle with cancer.
Former City youngster Josh Tymon was among those to pay tribute to Blakeston on Twitter. “Shocking news,” he wrote. “RIP Kris. Huge influence on every single player who has been at the academy. One of the good guys and an even better coach! Thoughts go out to his friends and family.”
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Current City teenager Keane Lewis-Potter also paid respect to his former coach on Twitter last night. "Cannot put into words how I am feeling right now," wrote Lewis-Potter. "The man who brought me into this club and helped me progress massively to where I am today. A truly amazing coach and an even better guy. My thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest In Peace Blakey."
Blakeston, born and raised in Hull, helped a host of homegrown youngsters to make the grade with City during his long association with the club, including Max Clark, Josh Tymon, Robbie McKenzie, Brandon Fleming and Keane Lewis-Potter.
His long involvement with City’s youth ranks dates back over a decade and he was part of the academy’s successful application for category two status when moving to Bishop Burton in 2015.
Blakeston served as a lead foundation phase coach and a lead youth development phase coach, overseeing age groups between under-12s and under-16s. As part of City’s sponsorship deal with SportPesa, he also joined fellow academy coach Richard Naylor on a two-week trip to Kenya in 2016 to undertake a series of coaching sessions.