HUNDREDS of amateur footballers were today holding a minute's silence before their games as a mark of respect to a popular coach who died aged just 36.
Andy Leebetter, who founded Park Athletic Football Club, died suddenly after a short illness, which began when he contracted cellulitis – an infection of the layers of the skin – earlier this year.
He was well known in grassroots football across the region, having been involved with various clubs over the past 20 years.
Today, thoughts were with Mr Leebetter immediately before the kick-off at all amateur East Riding league games.
His brother, James Leebetter, 32, of Kingswood, said he and his family were touched so many people wanted to pay their respects.
He said: "An email from the local FA has been sent to every club after a petition was started by a manager at another club, so they are all entitled to hold the minute's silence.
"It's really touching. I knew Andy was popular, but it's knocked my socks off to see just how much he meant to so many people."
The Park Athletic team have postponed today's game because of Mr Leebetter's sudden death, however the players will wear their kits and stand united at another game.
His brother said: "We are going to Blackburn Leisure in Brough, where AFC Rovers play, because it was their manager who started the petition for the minute's silence.
"We needed to postpone our game, but there are few of us who want to take part in the minute's silence, so we will go there.
"Before he died, Andy had just ordered new kits, so I've spoken to the printer and I'm going to have something printed on the shirt, maybe 'The Gaffer', printed under the badge, close to the heart.
"We will play again next week and I think we will all wear black armbands at the first game."
Mr Leebetter, who lived in west Hull with his partner, Lynne Sonnabend, was a full-time foster carer who dedicated his life to his foster children and football.
Since his death, hundreds of tributes have been posted online on Facebook, and many of his friends have changed their profile pictures to the Park Athletic club badge in honour of him.
His brother said: "I've had messages from people I've never met, people we've not seen for years, and no one has got a bad word to say about him.
"It's been so nice people have done that. It is so comforting for us as a family, it has made us so proud.
"Whether people grew up with him, or knew him from work or football, they thought highly of him."
Mr Leebetter started the football club, based in Cranbrook Avenue, north Hull, in 2004.
The club plays in the East Riding FA County Premier League, and also has an under-18s side in division one of the Hull Boys' Sunday Football League. The boys' team will still play tomorrow and take part in the minute's silence along with other Sunday league teams.
Mr Leebetter's funeral will be held on Wednesday in the large chapel at the crematorium on Chanterlands Avenue, west Hull at 10.30am.
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