TONBRIDGE ANGELS manager Steve McKimm says the club have lost one of their family after the tragic death of Junior Dian.
Tributes have poured in from across football for the 24-year-old, who collapsed during the second half of Tuesday night’s friendly at Ryman League Division One South club Whyteleafe.
The centre-half had come on as a substitute at half-time and only been playing for 20 minutes when he collapsed.
Angels physio Melvin Slight and Whyteleafe’s Bob Hemstead gave Dian CPR on the pitch before he was taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting.
Counselling
Players, and close friends, Jerrome Sobers and James Folkes followed the ambulance, along with Slight, but medics couldn’t save the defender.
Dian, a former Dagenham & Redbridge youngster, has mainly been playing local football but had been on trial with McKimm’s Ryman Premier side for ten days in a bid to earn a deal ahead of the new season.
“Devastation, shock – it’s something you never want to witness in your life,” McKimm told The NLP. “It was very frightening.
“We were watching the game and he went down. Everyone saw him. Melvin, our physio, just knew and he was on that pitch before the referee had even called him on.
“The way he went down, it wasn’t a natural fall. Melvin was on there quick as a flash and did everything he could.
“We’re fortunate enough to have one of the best physios around and Whyteleafe have as well – Bob’s worked at Arsenal. The pair of them knew exactly what they were doing.
“They were the first ones there. They cleared the area, myself and Whyteleafe manager John Fowler said to the ref, ‘Let’s just call it off and get the players off the pitch’. John did that.
“I’ve got to commend Whyteleafe for the way they dealt with the situation. They were thoroughly professional, moved the supporters out and helped in every way possible.
“Melvin and Bob worked on him on the pitch until the ambulance service got there. Then I got a text about 1am from Jerrome saying unfortunately Junior had passed away. It’s very sad.”
The club have offered counselling to players and fans through their chaplain and Saturday’s friendly with Kent neighbours Gillingham went ahead in his memory.
“We’re all devastated,” McKimm said. “The club I’m at, and the club I manage, is a well-run football club with a family, friendly atmosphere.
“Everybody is welcomed when they step into that circle. Junior was only with us a week and a half. Ten years or a week and a half –it’s the same.
“Jerrome and James have been to his family home and we’ve given our condolences. All the words in the world won’t bring young Junior back. Our thoughts will always be with him and his family.”
