A Welsh football player who was the "heartbeat" of his club's community has died in Amsterdam. Swansea club Pontlliw FC said it was "heartbroken and devastated" to announce that its "player, club man, and dear friend" Charlie Batcup, 30, had died.
The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) said it was supporting the family of a British man who had died in the Netherlands and was in contact with the local authorities. Wales international footballer Joe Rodon was seen wearing a shirt in tribute to Charlie beneath his kit at the Euro 2024 qualifier in Armenia on Saturday.
On Sunday the football club paid tribute to Charlie, who was a lifelong Pontlliw player, and said he will "always be in our thoughts now and forever". The full statement from the club said: "Pontlliw FC is heartbroken and devastated to announce that our player, club man and dear friend Charlie Batcup has tragically passed away.
READ MORE:- The bleak stories of people taken to court over their TV licences
READ MORE: Nurse suffers years-long ordeal at hands of controlling partner who even dictated what she ate
"Charlie was a huge part of the club in a way that words cannot describe and his passing has left a huge void in our club which we will never be able to replace. A lifelong Pontlliw player with fantastic ability Charlie was a massive asset on the pitch in every team that he played in.
"Off the field he was the heartbeat of our club community and personified our ethos of camaraderie, inclusivity, and cohesion. We are struggling to imagine an away day, social event, or even a Saturday afternoon without Charlie’s presence and he will always be in our thoughts now and forever.
"However difficult it seems to us right now we believe that Charlie would want us to carry on, to continue growing this great club and achieve our future aspirations. His input has shaped this club over recent years and we will often ponder in the future: ‘What would Charlie say?’ when faced with a decision to make. Thank you Charlie, you have enriched the lives of all our players and club members. Sleep tight."
An FCDO spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in the Netherlands and are in contact with the local authorities." Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news.
