Talented young footballer dies after he goes to see friend’s body

A fit young footballer collapsed and died while paying his respects to a deceased family friend.

Victor Omogbehin, 22, was about to view the body laid out at his friend's home when he complained he could not breathe and passed out.

The non-league player, who lived in Docklands, was taken to Newham General Hospital, where he died on

August 9. A post-mortem examination failed to find a cause of death. An inquest was opened and adjourned at Walthamstow coroner's court.

Tributes have been paid to the "fit as a fiddle" player, a fast and skilful winger who moved recently from Ilford FC to Waltham Forest FC, in Ryman League Division One North.

Ilford manager Colin Walton said: "It's a big shock. I got a call from a player who was a close friend. Victor was coming to view the body and said he couldn't breathe and collapsed. His friends called an ambulance.

"He was an up-and-coming player and left us at the end of last season. He wanted to see if he could get up to the next level." Former Ilford boss Chris Wood added: "He didn't smoke or do anything like that. We're devastated."

Friends are running an eight-a-side tournament at West Ham Memorial Ground in his honour this Sunday. Sam Adejokun, 24, said it would raise money for his family to help pay for the funeral: "Everybody knew Victor. He was popular and we wanted to come together and remember him for what he loved most — football." Tributes have also been posted on a group on Facebook.

Dave Ross, who managed the player when he was at Barking FC, said the non-league community was saddened. He added: "Victor was probably one of the most talented players I have had the pleasure to manage."