Promising Forest Town footballer pronounced dead in hospital

A teenage boy pronounced dead in hospital on Sunday has been identified on social media as Joel Cooke, 16 a Mansfield Town under 16 player and Garibaldi College pupil.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police, said: “At 2.38am on Sunday (21 May 2017) officers were called to a property in Forest Town.

“A 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Officers are not treating his death as suspicious and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”

Mansfield Town Football in the Community wrote on their Facebook Site: “Everyone at Mansfield Town Football in the Community would like to send our condolences to the family of Joel Cooke.

“We remember him from his primary school days at John T Rice.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.”

Ryan Hawley, headteacher at Garibaldi College said: “I can confirm that one of our students sadly died unexpectedly at the weekend. This news has deeply affected everybody at the school, but I have been very proud to see how well our students and the school community have coped with this sad news.

“Our thoughts are with the student’s family and friends at this very difficult time and I would ask that the privacy of the student’s family be respected as they come to terms with their loss.

“We are receiving specialist support from the County Council and will do everything we can to support our students over the coming weeks.”

Nottinghamshire County Council’s acting director for education, learning and skills Marion Clay said: “Our thoughts are with the student’s family and friends at what is a very sad time for them and the wider school community.

“As the local authority, we will continue to provide any support that is required by the school at this time.”

It is understood Joel’s family were too upset to talk to the media this week.