Football club pays tribute to Peterborough goalkeeper who died suddenly aged 24

Players and officials at Pinchbeck United have raised enough money to fund three defibrillators in honour of their much-loved goalkeeper, Ashley Moore, who passed away on Wednesday last week (November 25) aged just 24, after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest.

His father Peter Moore told the Peterborough Telegraph: “Ashley had a big heart and all the family were so proud of the young man he had become.

“Football was his passion throughout his life not only as a sport to play but as a way of raising money for local charities. It’s been amazing to see all the lovely comments and generous donations people have made. We are very proud parents of the legacy that Ashley will leave.”

He was a much loved figure in the village of Eye, where he lived, as well as at Pinchbeck United, where he served as the club’s reserve goalkeeper, also making several appearances for the first team in United Counties League Premier Division.

He was also a popular member of the Fan Engagement Team at Peterborough United.

A Posh spokesman said: “All at Peterborough United, particularly the match day team and the Posh Foundation, were saddened to hear the news about Ashley Moore.

“Ashley was a valued member of the Posh Engagement team who were managed by Chris Abbott and well liked by all.

“Our condolences go to his family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”

Tributes have also poured in from across the city’s footballing family after the news of Ashley’s death was announced, including from Posh co-owners Jason Neale and Stewart Thompson and former player Gaby Zakuani.  

In his memory, Pinchbeck, nicknamed The Knights, decided to try and raise £1,000 to have a defibrillator installed at their ground to make sure a life-saving device is there to help others in the future.

In just five days, however, the GoFundMe page has received over £3,000 worth of donations, meaning that there is enough money to purchase three devices and the plan is to place them around the places that were special to Ashley.

One being at the club’s home at Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field in Spalding, another at Planet Ice, home of the Peterborough Phantoms Ice Hockey team, of whom Ashley was a big fan and one close to his home in Eye.

The defibrillators will be engraved with Ashley’s name to ensure that his legacy will live on.

Pinchbeck United club secretary, first-aider and physio Kelly Coomes said: “We’re such a tight-knit family club here and the news hit us all very hard.

“Every single one of our players has rallied round though and the support has been astounding. We only set a £1,000 goal and have had to keep raising, he was loved by so many.

“He was the sort of person who would help anybody. Even his own father told me he never realised that Ashely had touched so many people.

“I’ll certainly remember him, he was always in my physio room before matches telling me his legs were aching and he needed a massage.

“He was always first to get his food after a match too and in that moment sitting down after the match he was just so happy. The saying at the club is that the heavens have gained a knight.

“Another thing that is really important to us is to raise awareness.

“Sudden cardiac arrest is something that I am aware of due to my training but not a lot of people are.

“It’s so frightening that something like that can happen out of the blue and it took all of us by surprise.

“Ashley had only just turned 24 and lived a healthy lifestyle, which just shows that this can truly happen to anyone, no one is invincible at any age. You can do all the healthy eating and exercise and this can still happen but we don’t want anyone else to go through what we are going through right now.

“This is why the defibrillators are so important and we want to make sure Ashley leaves a legacy. Although we have lost him, we don’t have to lose anybody else.”

If you would like to contribute to the campaign visit: 
https://www.gofundme.com/f/defibrillator-in-memory-of-ashley-moore