Former Port Vale and Gillingham captain Doug Loft has died on the age of 39.
An announcement from Gillingham, exterior stated he died following a medical emergency on the weekend.
Loft performed 196 occasions for Vale between 2009 and 2014, after signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, and went on to make 70 appearances for the Gills.
“He will probably be remembered fondly by everybody on the membership, not just for his achievements on the pitch however for the dedication and management he confirmed all through his time in Burslem,” a Port Vale assertion stated, exterior.
“The ideas and heartfelt condolences of everybody at Port Vale are with Doug’s household, pals, former team-mates and all those that knew him, at this extremely unhappy time.
“With the blessing of Doug’s household, we’ve requested permission from the EFL for our gamers to put on black armbands and to carry a minute’s silence forward of kick off at this weekend’s recreation in opposition to Chesterfield.”
Loft emerged at non-League Hastings United and signed for Brighton in January 2006, simply after his twentieth birthday.
He performed thrice within the Championship, scoring as soon as, and made 46 additional appearances for the Seagulls in League One.
After becoming a member of Port Vale, Loft was named the membership’s participant of the season for 2011-12, and was appointed captain, main the membership to promotion from League Two.
He was signed by Gillingham in 2014 and in addition made captain.
Loft spent two seasons in League One at Priestfield.
“Our ideas and condolences are with Doug’s spouse Laura, their youngsters Freya and Amelie, alongside together with his family and friends at this very tough time,” the Gillingham assertion stated.
Loft additionally had spells at Colchester United, Shrewsbury City, Dagenham & Redbridge, Billericay City and Tonbridge Angels.