Stenhousemuir youth player dies in Manchester

Kyle Doherty is pictured in the middle row fourth from the left. Picture: HeMedia

Kyle Doherty, an under-20s player, was discovered near to Deansgate late last night. He had been missing since the early hours of Thursday morning having been in the city to celebrate the New Year.

Doherty had been in Suede nightclub with friends who raised the alarm over his disappearance around 2 a.m. He was discovered late last night in a street nearby.

The Ochilview club was made aware of the death this morning and chairman Bill Darroch released a statement at lunchtime.

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He said: “I am extremely saddened to have to report that one of our under-20s Team players, Kyle Doherty, has been found dead following a night out in Manchester.

“We are all devastated by this news and our immediate thoughts are with Kyle’s family and friends at this sad and difficult time.

“ Kyle was a talented footballer and had been a part of Stenhousemuir football club since signing for us in July 2013. He had become a regular in our Under-20s team and was starting to break through in to the first team squad.

“He was liked and valued by his team mates and coaches alike. He will be missed by all who knew him.

“The entire club is in shock at this most terrible of news and we offer our deepest condolences to Kyle’s family and friends.”.

Doherty was a former youth player at Stranraer but at Stenhousemuir he was a member of the under-20s squad, managed by Jamie Kirk, and had also been an unused substitute in Scott Booth’s Warriors first team.

Club captain Ross McMillan tweeted: “Thoughts with the family of young Kyle. Was a pleasure to play alongside him and to know him. Will be sadly missed #RIP”

Former team-mate at Ochilview, and current Cowdenbeath striker Sean Higgins added: “Gutted to hear that Kyle Doherty has passed away. Cracking wee guy. Not a nice start to the new year. RIP.”

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