NEVILLE HAMILTONLeicester City legend Gary Lineker led the tributes to former academy coach Neville Hamilton who began his career at the club in the late 1970s.Mr Hamilton went on to play in midfield with Mansfield and Rochdale, before signing for Wolverhampton Wanderersin 1984. However, a heart attack at the age of 24 forced him into retirement during pre-season.He returned to Leicester, his home town club, and worked at the youth academy that nurtured England international Emile Heskey among others.More recently Mr Hamilton joined Notts County in 2004 under Gary Mills and left the following year before taking up a coaching role at Rushden and Diamonds.He died on 9 February, 2009 at the age of 48.Lineker, who played with Hamilton at Filbert Street, said: "It's a real blow to hear the news. It's a great shame that his life has ended so early and he will be remembered."Nev was a good player, although diminutive. We were at Leicester around the same time and he developed into a good coach who was brilliant with the youngsters."Current academy director Jon Rudkin said that Hamilton had a "massive impact" on the football world in the county: "I've lost a great friend, someone I have known for 25 years. He had bags of enthusiasm and a great knowledge of the game."He had a massive enthusiasm and passion to help players, and not just the elite ones. He would give just as much time to the ones who were not so gifted. He was a great character and I worked alongside him for a long time. I've got some great memories."It's a tragic loss to his family and his death has affected everyone at the club. He knew a lot of people."City legend Steve Walsh also spoke of his "great shock" about Hamilton, who had heart surgery the week before his death. Walsh said: "I should have gone to see him in Glenfield hospital a couple of weeks ago, but I didn't - and I wish I had now. It's such a shock and I feel so sorry for his family."I've known him since the very first day I arrived at the club and it will be a sad time for everyone."Leicester club ambassador Alan Birchenall said: "I have seen thousands of players come through this club over the years and I would put Neville up there with the best of them."If ever there was a smile or a laugh down at the training ground, both when Nev was playing and coaching, you knew that he would be involved."I went to see him last week in the Glenfield Hospital and although he knew he was seriously ill he was still laughing and joking. We thought he had pulled through the operation and it wouldn't be long before we saw his smiling face down the training ground again."I feel so sorry for his wife and kids. We have lost a great man in his prime."
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