Tribute to 'cracking lad' Matt

And other members of that side today joined the chorus of tributes to "a cracking young lad" after he collapsed and died while playing for Hinckley at Harrogate on Saturday.

Goalkeeper James Walker said: "He was a fantastic lad and a really good player with a brilliant family behind him.

"I still don't know what to say. When Dean Keates rang to tell me the news I was just numb. He was a cracking young lad.

"His dad used to go to watch every game he played in, and he used to watch the matches with my dad.

"My 'old man' was devastated when I broke the news to him.

"It's just terrible news to hear about someone who was so young and always seemed so fit, and who had such a future ahead of him and had just become a dad.

"He was always such a genuine lad in everything he did, on the field and off it and my heart just goes out to his family, who will obviously miss him terribly."

Midfielder Keates, who graduated to the Saddlers first team from the youth setup alongside Gadsby said: "He was a lovely lad, and my deepest sympathies go to his family.

"Simon Brown, who 'Gads' and me played with at Kidderminster, rang to tell me on the way home from Grimsby on Saturday and I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"I heard he had just got married and become a father, and that just makes it all the more tragic.

"We played together at Walsall, when he was a quiet lad, but when we linked up again at Kidderminster he was a little bit older and he came out of his shell a bit and became a really strong character in the dressing room.

"He was just a really honest lad who gave everything every time he stepped on the pitch, and that's how I'll always remember him."

Saddlers midfielder Darren Wrack said: "I will remember him as a lovely lad whose parents were absolutely lovely as well and always supported him 100 per cent.

"As well as being a fantastic lad I always thought he had the makings of a very good player, and I was slightly surprised when I heard he had dropped out of the League.

"He was pretty quiet, but if you knew him he was one of the boys, and he was always very good mates with Ian Roper.

"'Ropes' will be devastated, as we all are."

Paul Taylor, who was Saddlers director of football during Gadsby's time at Bescot, spoke of his sadness at the weekend's events.

"He was in the system when I was at the club and we watched him emerge through the youth team and into the reserves, and finally into the first team.

"He was a fantastic lad who worked very hard at his game and was actually a very good player.

"I was actually surprised when he didn't stay in the League, but I can't speak highly enough of him.

"He was the perfect professional and the family he had around him were always totally supportive and very important to him.

"This is tragic."

And Don Goodman, who scored in the play-off final, said he was stunned by the news: "I am honestly at a loss for words," he said.

"My heart goes out to his family and friends. A less offensive lad you honestly couldn't wish to meet.

"He was always a good, honest player, and a lovely fellow."

Gadsby joined Walsall as a 14-year-old in the centre of excellence and progressed through to the senior ranks, making 47 appearances including one as a substitute at the Millennium Stadium, where he laid on the winning goal for Darren Byfield.

He left Walsall for Mansfield, where his manager was former Saddlers defender Stuart Watkiss.

"While at Mansfield he was never any trouble and proved to be a reliable professional as well as being a player with a lot of ability."

From Mansfield he moved to Kidderminster and former Harriers colleagues today joined the tributes.

Liverpool legend Jan Molby, who managed Gadsby during his second spell in charge of Kidderminster said: "This is a terrible tragedy.

"I find it incredible and I admit I have struggled to come to terms with it. I'm shocked.

"It has affected me deeply because he was one of the players I worked with and got close to, and I genuinely liked him.

"This is the last thing you expect to happen, especially to a 27-year-old. He had his whole life in front of him. All he did was play a game of football.

"I have only got positive things to say about Matt from working with him.

"He was always so full of life and cracking jokes. Every single day he would have a massive grin on his face.

"He was always 100 per cent involved in everything we did and everyone liked him.

"He was never a moment's trouble, even when he wasn't playing.

"Wherever he played, he would be popular and I assume you would get the same response from Walsall, Mansfield, Forest Green Rovers and Hinckley because that's the way he was.

"He will be remembered as a popular, happy-go-lucky lad because that's the way he was."

Molby also paid tribute to Gadsby the player.

"He was a very versatile player capable of playing a number of different positions and technically he was very good as well," he said.

Gadsby's Harriers team mate, Craig Hinton, said: "It's such a shame. I only saw him a couple of months ago at Ian Foster's wedding.

"Everyone who knew him will be devastated and I can't believe it. You never think something like this is going to happen to someone you know.

"Matt was a great lad and was the type of person who would always put a smile on people's faces.

"If ever you went into training feeling down, you'd only have to see Matt and you would be fine.

"He loved his football and loved being one of the lads and if there's one consolation it's that he died doing something he loved."

Popular stories:

• Video of gardener’s strange find

• Escaped vulture roaming the Midlands

• Dining Out archive

• Immigrant steals £1.2 million from Birmingham Council

• Readers’ letters