TRIBUTES have been made following the "sad and devastating" death of a 21-year-old South Derbyshire cricketer.
Charlie Veale, who played for Lullington Park Cricket Club, died yesterday.
He is believed to have died after suffering a stroke.
His death is the third tragedy to hit the club in less than a year.
In April, Keith Poynton, father of Derbyshire wicketkeeper Tom, was killed in a car crash near Drakelow, while the fiancée of one of the club's players died just before Christmas.
Dave Fern, chairman of Lullington Park, said: "This is an absolute tragedy. He was with the club from Kwik Cricket through to some first team games. He could do anything.
"He was a gentle, nice, and good guy. There has been a massive outpouring of grief at the club and through local cricket which underlines how popular and loved he was.
"Grown men have been in tears, which is not something you see often."
Mr Fern said all of the clubs matches this weekend will be postponed.
He said: "The league has given us emergency postponement. Some lads will meet up today and have a pint and a catch up to remember him.
"I will remember Charlie as he was. A larger than life character and the Charlie we all knew and loved.
"It is quite devastating."
Mr Fern said the club has been through a lot.
He said: "They say these things come in threes and this is a year we will be glad to see the back of.
"Our first thoughts now have to be with his family and to look after them."
