Bristol sportsman dies on training pitch

A talented teenage sportsman from Bristol collapsed and died while training with his village football team.

Family and friends of Jack Boulton have paid tribute to the 17-year-old, from Saltford, who collapsed last week while at a training session on the village playing fields.

The sixth-former at Wellsway School in Keynsham lived with his dad Dave, mum June and sister Lucy, 16.

Mr Boulton said that sport had been the "true love" of his mild-mannered son, who also played cricket and golf.

He said: "Jack was one of those lads who could turn his hand to any sport. It was his true love, and something he was interested in from a young age.

"Jack accomplished so much, but he was very modest and never boasted. He had strong beliefs that if he wanted to do something he would."

Jack was highly respected by his team-mates at Saltford Football Club, where he was training at the time of his death.

Senior team manager Chris Dudbridge said: "Jack was one of the nicest lads I have ever met. No one had a bad word to say about him.

"He was extremely talented on the pitch, and was an all-round team player.

"Off the pitch he was very clever, and liked by all."

As well as playing football for Saltford, Jack was a promising cricketer with Keynsham Cricket Club.

The club held a minute's silence for Jack before its match on Saturday.

Jack's talent as a bowler was recognised two years ago when he was invited to the England and Wales Cricket Board's National Performance Centre in Loughborough to take part in a national competition.

Identified as one of the country's top four bowlers in the under-15 boys' category of the NatWest Speed Stars competition, the event in September 2007 enabled Jack to meet and receive advice from England bowler Ryan Sidebottom.

An accomplished golfer, Jack had played for Saltford Golf Club from the age of nine and was made junior captain this year.

While Jack excelled on the pitch he was also academically gifted, and had just completed his first year in the sixth form at Wellsway, with AS-level results published the day after his death revealing he had passed maths, further maths, PE, and German with flying colours.

He had planned to complete his A-levels before going to university and had passed his driving test recently.

Mr Boulton said: "Jack was one of those lucky ones that was academic as well as sporty.

"He was a great mathematician, as well as being very interested in languages."

The precise cause of the former Saltford Primary School pupil's death is still not known at this stage.

Mr Boulton said: "Jack has touched the lives of everyone, and we have been overwhelmed by messages of support.

"He had many friends and was hugely respected by anyone who came in contact with him."

A Facebook site set up in Jack's memory has 860 members, and is full of tributes from his friends.

A comment by Jack Sheppard read: "Can't believe that you are gone, a great football player and a fantastic mate, will miss you lots."

Another from fellow cricketer Matt Hill read: "The world seems empty without you. Every run I score now for the rest of my life is for you. It was a pleasure and an honour to have known you."

Jack's funeral will be taken by the Rev John Samways, who knew him through Keynsham Cricket Club.

Mr Samways said: "Jack was an outstanding young man who, through quiet example, influenced not only his peers but everyone around him.

"I feel both privileged and humbled to be taking his service."

The funeral will take place at St John's Church in Keynsham on Tuesday at 2pm.

The family have asked that people come wearing colours that are appropriate to Jack, including club shirts.

They have asked that no flowers be sent, but instead that donations be made to the Clarkson's donation account, at Clarkson's Independent Funeral Directors, Windsor Place, Upper Bristol Road, Bath, BA1 3DF.

Funds will be allocated in memory of Jack to fitting charities at a later date.

After the service, people are invited to attend Saltford Golf Club to celebrate Jack's life.

You can leave a tribute to Jack at Lasting Tribute.