Footballer's father dies after win

Mar 19 2012

A footballer's father has died from a suspected heart attack after watching his son's cup-winning performance over Scottish league leaders Celtic.

Kilmarnock midfielder Liam Kelly's father Jack, 59, collapsed at the end of the Scottish Communities League Cup match at Hampden.

He was treated by paramedics near the Kilmarnock dugout before being taken to hospital in Glasgow, where he died.

Players celebrated the 1-0 win oblivious to the medical emergency.

A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said Mr Kelly collapsed at about 4.55pm.

In the post-match press conference, Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels said: "The dressing room is very despondent and I don't know why the man above sends down these messages to us. We are thinking more about Liam than our triumphalism."

It is the first time the team has won the cup.

After the game, Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cammy Bell said: "I'm very close to Liam so it just puts things into perspective for me. If I could take away my performance I would, if Liam's dad was all right."

Kelly was told about the heart attack before Kilmarnock lifted the trophy but the rest of his team-mates had collected their medals before discovering the news.

"It was after getting the cup when I found out," Bell said. "We were on the pitch and the kit man told me. The rest of the boys didn't realise."