Ex-Newcastle Keeper Pavel Srnicek Dies At Age Of 47

Pavel Srnicek former Newcastle United goalkeeper has died at the age of 47 just nine days after suffering a cardiac arrest.

He collapsed while running in his native Czech Republic on Sunday, December 20 as he was rushed to a nearby hospital in Poruba and placed in an induced coma. His agent, Steve Wraith, confirmed that the brain scans showed irreversible damage and the decision was taken to turn off his life support system on Tuesday afternoon. According to Wraith, Srnicek visited Newcastle recently to promote his book “Pavel is a Geordie”.

He said “he was on a whistle-stop tour of Tyneside only 10 days ago. He travelled back to his home country to spend some welcome time with his family. He is goalkeeping coach at Sparta Prague and has a very hectic schedule. He went out for a jog prior to Christmas and he never returned home. He collapsed with a cardiac arrest. They did manage to get him to hospital and resuscitate him. He has been on life support throughout the festive season, with his family by his bedside. Yesterday, Monday, was the crucial day. They did a CT scan on his head and on his brain and ultimately the news wasn't good. They had to make the heartbreaking decision to turn his life support machine off. That led to Pavel passing away at ten past two, UK time. His close family were around the bedside. The one thing that has got the family through this horrendous situation has been the huge support, particularly from Newcastle United supporters. The fantastic job the club did - although I am sure it would have been done spontaneously anyway - to get everyone to sing 'Pavel is a Geordie' throughout the game on Boxing Day... that kind of thing really did help the family. There has also been fantastic support for other clubs Pavel played for in the UK - there has been a great outpouring of love for one of life's good guys."

Darren Peacock a fromer team mate of Pavel at Newcastle had this to say about him: “He was the life and soul of the dressing room. He was loud, he was competitive, really competitive. I didn't hear him say a bad word about anybody and it's such as shame. He was totally into team sport and totally into helping other players. In the dressing room you can tell which players are going to go into coaching. Pav was certainly one of those who you felt would definitely be involved in the game. The Geordies took him to their hearts. You could tell at the Villa game on Boxing Day. He was infectious, his personality, his character. He will be remembered forever”

Newcastle Legend Alan Shearer also paid his tribute via twitter saying “so very, very sad to lose my friend and former team-mate Pavel Srnicek. My thoughts are with his family at this awful time”. Former United goalkeeper Steve Harper also tweeted: “A beautiful soul has left this world far too early. Thank you so much for everything you did for me”.

Newcastle United also posted a tribute saying “It is with immense sadness that we confirm the passing of former #NUFC goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek today. Our deepest condolences go to Pavel's family, many friends, former colleagues and supporters at this very difficult time. #NUFC”.