Carlisle United’s Dave Wilkes has died aged 59.
Mr Wilkes was described by the club as a close and dear friend to all who worked with him.
He began as a player with Barnsley and joined Carlisle in the early 1990s where, after retiring from the playing side, he took on the role of the club’s youth development officer.
He stepped up to a senior coaching role under Mick Wadsworth in 1995, and had a spell as caretaker manager when Mervyn Day left the club in 1997.
He also enjoyed a stint as joint manager with John Halpin, and was at the heart of the work done to keep the Blues in the Football League with that dramatic ending to the season in May 1999.
Spells with Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town followed before he returned to Carlisle United to lead the Centre of Excellence at Brunton Park in 2005.
He then served the club for a further 17 years, most recently as head of coaching within the academy.
The club said: “As a mark of respect to Dave, his family and loved ones there will be no further comment from the club at this stage. The club’s social and official channels will remain silent throughout this weekend until Monday morning.
“Our thoughts are with Dave’s loved ones at this extremely sad time.”
