Yeovil announce the death of club captain Lee Collins at the age of 32

Yeovil Town's club captain Lee Collins has died at the age of 32.

The defender counted Wolves, Port Vale, Barnsley, Northampton, Mansfield and Forest Green as former club and had spent two years with the National League club.

The circumstances surrounding Collins' death have not been released. Collins had a partner Rachel and three daughters, Amelia-Grace, Laila-Rose and Charley-Mae.

Their National League fixture against Altrincham on Friday has been postponed.

Collins was an unused substitute in Yeovil's last match - a 3-1 win over Barnet in the league last Saturday. The club said he died on Wednesday.

Liverpool were among a host of clubs in England and beyond who paid their respects on social media.

A club statement read: 'All at Yeovil Town Football Club are mourning the loss of club captain Lee Collins.

'Lee sadly passed away yesterday and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

'We ask everyone to respect the family's privacy at this time.

'The club will make no further comment at this time.

'Our game with Altrincham tomorrow has been postponed.'

Collins, who hails from Telford in Shropshire, began his career in the academy at Wolves but didn't make a first team appearance for the then-Championship club.

During a loan spell at Hereford United in 2007-08, he helped the club win promotion from League Two into League One.

He joined Port Vale in 2008, playing 163 times for the League Two side, before moving on to Barnsley in 2011.

The centre-back made seven appearances for the Tykes before being sent out on loan to Shrewsbury Town.

He then moved on to Northampton Town, playing 86 times for the club, and moved on to Mansfield and Forest Green in League Two.

Former clubs Wolves and Northampton, as well as others in the Premier League, the EFL and beyond, tweeted tributes as the sad news broke on Thursday afternoon.

Ian Holloway tweeted: 'Absolutely awful news. My thoughts are with Lee's family & friends and everyone at YTFC. Ollie x.'

Former team-mate posted their own tributes on Twitter.

Ex-Wolves player Karl Henry said: 'Such sad news. I remember Lee as a young player at Wolves. He was a good lad with a great attitude.'

Ivan Toney, his colleague at Northampton, said: 'Such sad news. A former teammate always helped me as a young boy coming through. Thoughts go out to his friends and family at such a difficult period.'

Mansfield owner, John Radford, paid his respect, tweeting: 'Shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of our former defender and captain, Lee Collins.

'A no-nonsense, battling braveheart on the field and a gentleman off it. A man who always gave his all in Stags' colours.

'We'll be observing a minute's silence tomorrow in Lee's memory.'