Exeter groom killed in stag night plunge
AN Exeter footballer has died after falling from a balcony while celebrating his stag weekend in Spain with a group of friends.
Team-mates of Tony Kyle called off their weekend match after hearing of his death.
Mr Kyle, a 25-year-old roofer, had flown to Gerona with his party, who are due back in the UK today. British consul staff are helping his family and fiancée Emma.
The pair got engaged around nine months ago and held a party to celebrate in a city pub.
It is thought they were soon due to get married abroad.
Mr Kyle died from injures he sustained in the fall but the details of the accident are still unclear.
His friends say he was popular on and off the pitch.
Players at his team, Heavitree Social United, called off their Devon Premier Cup tie at home to Bere Alston after the tragic news filtered through.
Managers heard about the accident on Saturday morning. There wasn't enough time to stop the Bere Alston team travelling to Exeter but they will return next week to play the third round tie.
Mr Kyle, who lived in Exwick with Emma, had recently also been playing for Whipton & Pinhoe.
As a teenager, he played for St Thomas and Exeter & East Devon Schools before moving to Broadclyst Social Club, where he was a member of the team for five years until this season.
He had been having treatment for a damaged knee ligament and was due to have an operation when he came back from his honeymoon.
Ross Webster, who played at Broadclyst with Mr Kyle, has paid tribute to his friend.
"He was a genuinely nice guy," he said.
"Nobody really knows what happened in Spain. Some news has filtered back to us but it's like Chinese whispers at the moment. We will know more when everyone comes back."
Broadclyst manager Paul Taylor said: "These are such sad circumstances. He was one of my closest friends in the team and we had a good relationship.
"He was a sound lad on and off the pitch and loved his football — he played Saturdays and Sundays.
"He was a very quick and talented player and a good goal scorer, especially in the final of the Devon Senior Cup last year."
Broadclyst secretary Paul White said: "This is such a shock; we know he was due to get married soon.
"On behalf of everyone at the football club, we would like to send our condolences to his family.
"He was a great, outgoing, fun-loving lad."
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by barry king, exeter
Thursday, November 13 2008, 6:45PM
“What a genuine nice guy and excellent football player. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts go out to Emma and his family. Rest in peace mate xx”
by HEATHER WALKER, The Village Inn
Thursday, November 13 2008, 6:13PM
“We knew Tony as a regular customer and are totally numbed by his tragic death. We would like to extend our deepest sympathy and thoughts to Emma and his family.”
by Samantha Street, Bath
Tuesday, November 11 2008, 9:05PM
“I am Emma's cousin and I just wanted to leave a note to say that Tony will always be remembered as the life and soul of every party. He made Emma so happy and everyone else around him. Tony you will be deeply missed and you are overwhelmingly loved by everyone who knows you. My heartfelt best wishes go to Gaynor and Paul and everyone else in Tony's family too. We all feel pain and a great sense of loss at losing such an amazing guy. I'm still in shock. My deepest sympathies to everyone who knew Tony and I know he will be sorely missed. Emma, keep your chin up babe, we all love you so much and will be here for you no matter what. Your cousin, Sammy xxx”
by Kay beresford-slinn, exeter
Tuesday, November 11 2008, 2:30PM
“We only met emma a while ago when she temped with us at fresha and up untill last week we had been listerning to all her stories about tony and the wedding. We want to send our thoughts to her at this very sad time. From everyone at Fresha. Emma take care.”
by Louise Fisher, Gosport
Tuesday, November 11 2008, 12:05PM
“I only knew Anthony for about 7-8 years when we grew up on the same street in Gosport before he moved to Exeter. I was totally shocked and saddened to hear about the accident. I will always remember him being full of life and having fun around the street! RIP. Love to Gaynor, Paul and Leah xx”
by mark courtney-massey, blackpool
Tuesday, November 11 2008, 12:40AM
“I am one of Anthonys uncles on his mothers side. Anthony was a truly compassionate and loving young man. He deeply loved his fiancee Emma and was greatly loved by all his family. To all who knew Anthony I would like them to remember a man who loved life and always remember to remember him. If you remember people who have passed. Although physically they are not with us, in our Hearts they never leave. Please remember to remember.”
by JAMIE KYLE, BIGGLESWADE BEDFORDSHIRE
Monday, November 10 2008, 10:48PM
“JUST A THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEFT A TRIBUTE FOR ANTHONY. YOUR 1 VERY SPECIAL NEPHEW TO ME AND A VERY SPECIAL BIG COUSIN TO GEORGE.WHY R FAMILY YET AGAIN! I LOVE U SO MUCH ANTS,IM GONA MISS U SO MUCH,LOVE U ALWAYS AND FOREVER, YOUR VERY SPECIAL UNCLE JAMIE XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX I LOVE YOU”
by wayner, exeter
Monday, November 10 2008, 10:09PM
“tony you will be really missed.you were a top bloke and we will never forget you rest in peace”
by Brendan Green, Exeter
Monday, November 10 2008, 8:36PM
“I remember first seeing Tony in the Ottery St Mary football days. What a good player and what a lovely, humble, down to earth lad he was. A great loss, Rest in Peace buddy.”
by Clare, Exeter
Monday, November 10 2008, 4:27PM
“It was a privileage to have known you Tony you will be dearly missed. Our thoughts are with Emma and your family xx”