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Tigers coach reveals healthy son, 19, killed by heart attack
Ian Millward
Devastated Castleford Tigers head coach Ian Millward has revealed his healthy teenage son Robbie tragically died following a massive heart attack.
The 19-year-old passed away on Sunday evening from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, just hours after being taken ill at the family home in Leigh.
Australian Mr Millward was flying back from the West Yorkshire rugby league club’s 28-20 defeat against Catalan Dragons in Perpignan, France when he heard his son had collapsed.
He is now on compassionate leave but issued a statement yesterday saying: “On behalf of all our family, we would like to thank everybody for their kind messages of support, especially the Rugby League family from both the UK and Australia.
“The messages have been of comfort in this time of great sadness.
“Robbie was a healthy young boy who died from a condition called Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, which comprises of a massive heart attack; the sudden nature of his death is making it even harder for us to deal with.
“We ask that journalists allow us the space and time needed to come to terms with the loss of Robbie.
“Instead of flowers, we ask any well-wishers to donate to the British Heart Foundation.”
Mr Millward, 51, had only taken charge at Castleford last September and is most well-known for his successful time at St Helens where he won Super League, Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge titles.
His son regularly attended matches with him during those halcyon days and the awful news has shocked the whole game.
Rugby Football League chairman Richard Lewis said: “On behalf of the whole Rugby League community I would like to express our deepest sympathy to Ian, his family and Robbie’s friends at this terrible news.
“The thoughts of everyone involved in the sport are with the Millward family and friends at this very sad time.”
Castleford players who featured in their Super League loss at the weekend were on a day off yesterday but injured players were at the club for treatment amid a numb sense of disbelief.
Assistant coach Stuart Donlan, who came to Wheldon Road from previous club Leigh with Millward, will take charge indefinitely along with the rest of the Castleford backroom team.
Tigers captain Danny Orr and other senior players will also help manage team affairs in the head coach’s absence
Castleford host Challenge Cup holders Wigan Warriors – one of Millward’s former clubs – on Sunday and, depending on the family’s wishes, are likely to hold a minute’s silence.
Robbie’s death comes just a week after 18-year-old Harrogate Town footballer Alex Emmett, from Follifoot, North Yorkshire, died in similar circumstances.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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