Former Port Vale and Gillingham captain Doug Loft dies aged 39

Former Port Vale and Gillingham captain Doug Loft has died at the age of 39, BBC Sport reported on Monday. Gillingham said in a statement that the former midfielder died following a medical emergency at the weekend. The report did not give further details about the emergency.

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Both clubs issued tributes to a player who had served as their captain. Port Vale praised his leadership and commitment alongside his contributions on the field, and offered condolences to his family, friends and former team-mates. Gillingham also expressed sympathy to his wife, their two children and those close to him.

Port Vale said they had sought permission from the English Football League for players to wear black armbands and for a minute's silence before the forthcoming home game against Chesterfield. The club said Loft's family had given their blessing to the request. Those arrangements were described as a request, rather than a confirmed tribute, in the statement carried by BBC Sport.

Loft made 196 appearances for Port Vale between 2009 and 2014 after joining from Brighton & Hove Albion. His time at the club included the player-of-the-season award for the 2011-12 campaign. He subsequently took on the captaincy and led Vale to promotion from League Two, combining an individual club honour with a successful period as team captain.

Gillingham signed Loft in 2014 and also appointed him captain. He spent two seasons playing in League One at Priestfield and made 70 appearances for the club. His move followed five years at Vale, with the two clubs accounting for a substantial part of the playing career detailed in the BBC report.

His route into the Football League began at non-League Hastings United before Brighton signed him in January 2006. He appeared three times in the Championship for the Seagulls, scoring once, and added another 46 appearances in League One.

Loft's career also included spells with Colchester United, Shrewsbury Town, Dagenham & Redbridge, Billericay Town and Tonbridge Angels. The tributes from Vale and Gillingham recalled both his playing record and the responsibility he held as captain at each club.