Mansfield Town physio Matt Salmon dies aged 25

MANSFIELD TOWN academy physio Matt Salmon has died from lung cancer at the age of just 25.

He passed away peacefully yesterday, surrounded by his family, the club announced. Salmon was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010 and retired on Wednesday, having only been given a short time to live in a recent consultation.

This weekend he had planned to have an 'open house' for friends to visit him. Salmon spent three-and-a-half-years with the Stags, including a spell as first-team physio.

Speaking on Wednesday, he said: "I have immensely enjoyed every single moment since joining Mansfield Town. Every single member of playing and coaching staff have been incredibly supportive of my situation and have always given me the opportunity to do the job that I love.

"It has been an incredibly difficult decision to resign from my dream job at the age of 25 but unfortunately I have reached a stage where I am not able to give our players the level of care they deserve, something I have strived to do since I joined the club and made a minimum requirement for all medical staff who I've had the pleasure of working with.”

Manager Steve Evans had added: "In my time at the Football Club, young Matt has proved to be as good as any medical professional that I could wish to work with.

"When the news broke to me, in a week when we showed our support to a local boy suffering with a terrible illness, it's fair to say that tears were shed.”