Mason Peddle,a soccer player in the English lower league Portchestera, died suddenly at the age of 29, the club announced. The cause of death is unknown.
“Everyone at AFC Portchester is shocked and saddened to hear the news of the death of Mason Peddle – the captain of our under-23 team. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends at this difficult time. The club will do all it can to support his family,” they wrote in a tweet.
Friends and former teammates describe him as a top guy.
– Our captain, teammate and friend. You will be greatly missed by everyone at the club, not only these younger ones. Our captain and a great character in the island and surrounding football community. He influenced many and many others he helped will undoubtedly continue on his path – he said Mark Dugan,his coach.
One of them, John Madden, announced on the GoFundMe page an initiative for financial assistance to the family of the deceased. His goal is to raise £20,000 and he is very close to it. Almost 500 people responded and, by the time the article was published, they had donated £19,372.
“Hi, I’m raising money and all funds will go to Masons family to help with funeral expenses. Mason was a wonderful guy with a good heart and well known. I would like to take the burden and stress of seeing him off to help the family through this difficult time.” he wrote.