Tributes paid to teenage footballers after 13-year-old collapses and dies on the pitch in front of his family

Shock: Jamie Skinner collapsed during the Under-14s game in Edinburgh and could not be revived

Tributes have been made to two promising teenage footballers who died yesterday within hours of each other.

Jamie Skinner, 13, died in front of his father and brother after collapsing during and Under-14s match in Edinburgh.

He was attempting to head the ball while playing for Tynecastle FC against Spartans FC when he collapsed on the Saughton Astro pitch in the city.

His death came just hours after 18-year-old David Paul, who was on the verge of breaking into Hibernian FC's first team, died suddenly in his sleep at his family home in Edinburgh.

Police Scotland said that initial inquiries suggested there were 'no suspicious circumstances'.

Tributes have flooded in for the talented boys from their clubs and friends, and professional football players.

Eyewitnesses said Jamie had appeared to be fit and healthy - but then fell unconscious to the ground and ‘never woke up.’

There was speculation last night that Jamie - described as a ‘wonderful human being’ by teachers at his school - may have died from heart failure, but this was not confirmed by police or club bosses.

The club said his death followed an ‘innocuous event’, as he jumped to head the ball, and that his family were ‘devastated’ and had been ‘ripped apart’ by Jamie’s sudden death.

A statement released by the club, which is not officially linked with Hearts FC, said Jamie had been ‘playing the game he loved’ and ‘lost his life on the pitch.’

It added: ‘In an innocuous event during the game Jamie collapsed and despite the valiant attempts of everyone at the game, and the ambulance service, attempts to revive him were sadly in vain.

‘Although Jamie was new to our Tynecastle family, he had up until recently been playing for Hearts. He was a prospect that undoubtedly would have had a bright future in the game.

Tragic: David Paul, 18, (left) died in the early hours of yesterday morning, hours before Jamie died on the pitch

‘No words can fully express our grief and dismay at seeing this happen.

‘We can only pass on all our thoughts and prayers to friends and family and hope they will get some strength from the outpouring of love and support from everyone.

SOURCE-DAILYM