Tom Edwards: Yorkshire rugby player and club captain dies suddenly at 29

Selby RUFC have confirmed that club captain Tom Edwards has died suddenly at the age of 29.

The club said in a statement: “Selby RUFC is deeply saddened to inform you of the sudden passing of 1st XV captain Tom Edwards. Tom, aged 29, passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning. Tom was popular and well-loved across all ages within the club. He will be sadly missed.

“Following this tragic news all senior adult fixtures scheduled to be played today, Saturday 19 November 2022 are cancelled.

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“As you will appreciate, this is a time of great distress to the families of Tom and his fiancée and we are sure your thoughts and prayers are with them in their time of great loss.

Tom Edwards in action for former club Wetherby in 2015Tom Edwards in action for former club Wetherby in 2015
Tom Edwards in action for former club Wetherby in 2015

“The families of both Tom and his fiancée have asked for their privacy to be respected at this very difficult time.”

Mr Edwards was also a past player at Wetherby RUFC. He worked as a tree surgeon and was father to a young daughter. He attended Read School in Selby and Askham Bryan College in York.

Mr Edwards is believed to have taken his own life and an England rugby supporters’ group paid tribute to him, posting on Facebook: “Last week was a tough week. A message to say that a young man and friend had suddenly passed away. He could see no other way forward. He was 29.

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“Tom was a such a great character and a lovely lad. Life and soul of the party. A tremendous rugby player and No.7. And an even better tourist. And a loving dad. This was a huge, huge shock to all those who knew and loved this fella.

“Please, in memory of Tom, give a mate a call. Have a chat. You just really do not know what inner struggles people are battling with. Even those who seem to not have a care in the world. And if the immediate answer to the question is "I'm OK", maybe ask again.

"So sorry you felt you had to leave us mate. You'll be forever missed by so many. It is a privilege to have know you and called you a friend. Keep pulling up those trees, pal.”