by Andy Gray

agray@thekmgroup.co.uk

Tributes have been paid to a popular hockey player who collapsed and died during a match.

David Gambrill, from Allington, was playing for Sutton Valence Veterans when the tragedy happened.

The 60-year-old's sudden death stunned team-mates and work colleagues.

They described Mr Gambrill, a solicitor who ran Cheldgate House in Rochester, as a “friendly face who was always there for you”.

John Salter, a former colleague, said: “I’ve been amazed at the response to his death. He was obviously such a popular man and everyone’s shocked at the news.

"David was always smiling, always laughing and joking.

"He lived life to the full, he was laid back and very relaxed. He’ll be terribly missed.”

Mr Gambrill was taking part in a friendly at Chelmsford Hockey Club on Saturday, October 8, when he died.

Essex Air Ambulance was called at about 2.30pm to reports a man had collapsed. Paramedics from a land ambulance took over, but attempts to resuscitate Mr Gambrill failed.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. A post mortem showed the father-of-two died of natural causes.

He leaves a wife Caroline and sons Peter and Simon.

A minute's silence was held on Saturday before matches involving all three Cobdown Hockey Club teams.

Full story in this week's Kent Messenger, out Friday.