COALVILLE TOWN have paid tribute to young goalkeeper Luke Samples after he tragically lost his life in a car crash.
The 18-year-old, who played for the club's youth side Coalville Town Ravens, was killed on Friday in a crash on a country road near Kingston-on-Soar, Nottinghamshire.
Samples, who was the only person in the car, crashed into a tree and Nottinghamshire Police are appealing for any information.
Luke's twin brother Jack also plays for the Ravens and the team is coached by their father Gareth. The loss of their talismanic goalkeeper has left team-mates devastated.
Ravens assistant manager Stuart Smith told the Leicester Mercury: “All the players have been down at the site, looking at the flowers and crying their eyes out – they're absolutely distraught, inconsolable.
“Luke was first choice keeper since he was six, but he was also a lovely person. Luke was a big character on the pitch. He was always the most vocal – a leader from the back – shouting at the team when it wasn't performing.”
Coalville chairman Glyn Rennocks added: “Luke had only joined this season, but I'd been to watch him a couple times and he was a cracking young player.
“It's such a sad loss for the football club, but even more so for his family. Our thoughts go out to them at this time.”
Coalville's first team will be holding a minute's silence before Tuesday night's Evo-Stik NPL Premier game against Mickleover Sports at Owen Street.
