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Daniel Noel, back row second from right, with his London Tigers team mates before the match on Saturday |
Goal joy, then tragedy strikes on pitch
Family mourns ‘good Daniel’, the boy who didn’t drink or smoke but died playing the sport he loved
IN his bright orange soccer strip, Daniel Noel poses with team-mates before a big match in the annual Camden Unity Cup.
Tragically, it turned out to be the last photograph of him. Just an hour later, the 18-year-old collapsed immediately after scoring the winning goal for the London Tigers team, falling to the ground in the middle of his delighted celebrations.
Paramedics rushed to the scene late on Saturday afternoon but Daniel did not regain consciousness and died shortly afterwards at University College London Hospital in Bloomsbury.
Team-mates and supporters at the Warren football pitch in Whitfield Street, Fitzrovia, tried to help, while others looked on in shock.
Hundreds of youngsters across north London and in neighbouring Westminster have already paid their condolences, some on tribute websites, others by leaving messages at a shrine close to the pitch.
“At least you died doing something you loved,” said one friend. “You will never be forgotten.”
Football on the pitches has been suspended all this week and the gates are marked by tributes, candles and football shirts inked with messages. A minute of silence will be observed on Saturday afternoon at the scene and friends will make speeches.
Daniel’s mother, Velma Wynter, said from the family home in Pimlico: “The comfort I take is the number of people who have come to my door to speak to us. I never knew how popular he was or how many people knew him.
“People of all races and religions have been at my door. It is so sad but I’m trying to be strong. The people coming to see me have been a comfort.”
Pathologists have so far been unable to determine exactly why Daniel collapsed. Yesterday (Wednesday), they were involved in a second inspection of his heart, which was found to be slightly enlarged.
Experts are surprised that such a sudden death could happen to a teenager who otherwise appeared healthy and regularly played sport.
An inquest is due to open later this week but will not be completed until further test results are in.
Ms Wynter said: “He was fit. He was healthy. He didn’t smoke. He didn’t drink. Obviously, I wanted him to stay with us but I just think it must have been his time to go. I was told he only shook for a little and then that was it. It was as if it was meant to be.”
She added: “He was a quiet kind of boy. I never had any trouble with him. I said to him on Saturday: ‘Daniel there are some clothes on the floor in your room.’ He said he would clear them up after football and he went out. And that was the last time I saw him alive.
“He was a good footballer, played for a team, played for the school. He played so many games of football and he loved it.”
Daniel, a former student at Pimlico School – the family live on the same road as the school – had begun a business course. He had also been awarded a football coaching badge.
The oldest of six children, he leaves behind one brother and four sisters.
Daniel’s uncle, Noel Wynter, said: “Daniel was like a son to me. He would always say to me he didn’t want to drink, he didn’t want to smoke. When I asked him why, he just said he wasn’t into that kind of stuff. He was more into his music, it was crazy music that I didn’t understand but he loved it.
“There are three or four kids around here called Daniel but when they came to the door, people would ask for the ‘Good Daniel’. That’s what he was: good.”
Daniel’s father is out of the country but is due to fly back to London for his son’s funeral.
“We had Daniel for 18 years and five months,” a cousin has said on a tribute website. “I still think we should have had him for longer and that it wasn’t fair, we all ask the same question. Why? Why Daniel but I think that God jus felt it was time to take him back. He chose him personally to come home.”
The tragedy unfolded at the end of a long afternoon of football on one of the hottest days of the year. The Camden Unity Cup is organised by Fitzrovia Youth In Action and is aimed at bringing youths together.
Andre Schott, director of Fitzrovia Youth In Action, said: “You could hear a pin drop when it happened. All the players knew it was serious. They didn’t want to play football. Our young people have decided there shouldn’t be any football on the pitch this week. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Daniel’s team, The London Tigers, is part of a charity organisation based in Paddington. Like the Unity Cup, the team has been praised for providing opportunities for youths through sport. Organisers have won a string of community awards and several high-profile politicians, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair, have met its directors.
Mesba Ahmed, London Tigers’ founder and director, said: “Daniel was quite new to the team and he was a sub for a lot of the time at first. I remember him being very calm. Other young people whinge about being subs but he didn’t mind.
“When he played on Saturday, he set up a goal and then he scored the winning goal – and that’s when it happened. Our hearts go out to his family.”
Friends are due to meet at the Warren pitches on Saturday at 2.45pm to honour him.
the last time I saw him alive.
“He was a good footballer, played for a team, played for the school. He played so many games of football and he loved it.”
Daniel, a former student at Pimlico School – the family live on the same road as the school – had begun a business course. He had also been awarded a football coaching badge. The oldest of six children, he leaves behind one brother and four sisters.
Daniel’s uncle, Noel Wynter, said: “Daniel was like a son to me. He would always say to me he didn’t want to drink, he didn’t want to smoke. When I asked him why, he just said he wasn’t into that kind of stuff. He was more into his music. It was crazy music that I didn’t understand but he loved it.
“There are three or four kids around here called Daniel but when they came to the door, people would ask for the ‘Good Daniel’. That’s what he was: good.”
Daniel’s father is out of the country but is due to fly back to London for his son’s funeral.
“We had Daniel for 18 years and five months,” a cousin added on a tribute website. “I still think we should have had him for longer and that it wasn’t fair, we all ask the same question. Why? Why Daniel? But I think that God just felt it was time to take him back. He chose him personally to come home.”
The tragedy unfolded at the end of a long afternoon of football on one of the hottest days of the year. The Camden Unity Cup is organised by Fitzrovia Youth In Action and is aimed at bringing youths together.
Andre Schott, director of Fitzrovia Youth In Action, said: “You could hear a pin drop when it happened. All the players knew it was serious. They didn’t want to play football. Our young people have decided there shouldn’t be any football on the pitch this week. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Daniel’s team, The London Tigers, is part of a charity organisation based in Paddington. Like the Unity Cup, the team has been praised for providing opportunities for youths through sport. Organisers have won a string of community awards, and several high-profile politicians, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair, have met its directors.
Mesba Ahmed, London Tigers’ founder and director, said: “Daniel was quite new to the team and he was a sub for a lot of the time at first. I remember him being very calm. Other young people whinge about being subs but he didn’t mind.
“When he played on Saturday, he set up a goal and then he scored the winning goal – and that’s when it happened. Our hearts go out to his family.”
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