Sunday soccer scene stunned by sudden death of Ashley, 41

By peter smith peter.smith@thepostandtimes.co.uk

A FORMER amateur footballer has died of a suspected heart attack – just 20 months after his brother lost his own battle against depression.

Ashley Webb passed away in his flat in Stockwell Street, Leek, on Saturday afternoon despite the frantic efforts of paramedics.

The 41-year-old scaffolder and his brother Alex McLeish had proved to be the scourge of opposition defences around Leek when they played together for a host of Sunday league clubs.

But former JCB worker Alex took his own life in November 2008, aged 35, and Ashley, who had always been known as a fun-loving practical joker, was still grieving.

Their devastated mother Marie McLeish admitted she felt as if her heart had been pulled from her chest.

The 66-year-old, of Blackshaw Moor, said: "We are such a close family and we have still not recovered from the loss of Alex.

"I don't know what we have done for life to be so unfair.

"God put me on this earth to be their mother and the lads grew up in a house full of love. I cannot imagine how life will be without them.

"Ashley had a wicked sense of humour but he had never really been the same since Alex died. To think I will never be able to talk to him again breaks my heart."

Ashley had helped raise £300 for the British Heart Foundation when he played in a memorial match for his brother in August 2009.

The seemingly-healthy father-of-two had been busy organising this year's game with the help of his friends and family. The pair's former club Blue Mugge will now defend a trophy renamed in honour of them both later this year.

Ashley had been looking forward to joining the team's management for the coming season alongside his long-time pal Kenny Scragg.

Kenny, aged 49, said: "It won't sink in for a long time what has happened. The memorial match will be incredibly poignant.

"There was so much respect for Ash around the local football scene, I was excited about working with him from the touchline. I'm devastated."

Ashley, a combative striker, played for a host of clubs in the Leek and District Sunday League including Dyers Arms, Sea Lion, Flying Horse, Britannia Inn and Red Cow during the 1990s.

And the Stoke City supporter grabbed a vital goal for Ipstones against rivals Cauldon in May 1997 to secure his side the Leek and District League title.

Then teammate Gavin Bateman recalled: "Ash was always the life and soul of the party and he lived on that goal for months.

"I dread to think what his family is going through. It is a tragedy."

Ashley had temporarily lived in Wolverhampton before moving back to Leek at the start of this year.

He met his girlfriend Nikki at Stoke train station at 4.30pm on Saturday and returned to Stockwell Street before complaining of feeling unwell.

West Midlance Ambulance Service attended and attempted resuscitation for 40 minutes, but to no avail.

Ashley leaves his sisters Angie and Aimi; sons Reece, aged 13, and six-year-old Kai; as well as nieces and nephews.

Funeral details are yet to be arranged.