THOMAS Staniforth, a Sheffield Wednesday player and son of former York City hero Gordon Staniforth, collapsed and died while out with friends in York.

A post-mortem examination was being conducted today at York District Hospital to discover the cause of the 20-year-old's death.

The tragedy comes only four years after Thomas's brother, James, 23, broke his back in an horrific fall in America - an injury from which he has since made a good recovery.

Gordon Staniforth, of Copmanthorpe, near York, said today that Thomas had been out with some York friends in the city centre last night and had been about to go in a nightclub when he suddenly collapsed, holding his head, and went into a fit.

He said ambulance men tried to save him as they were taking him to York District Hospital, but he understood that he died during the journey.

He said Thomas had not been feeling well recently, suffering from headaches and a stiff neck, and had been to see a doctor.

Mr Staniforth said his son had been with Sheffield Wednesday for five years, playing at centre back in the reserves for the past three.

"He was on the subs bench for six matches in the Premiership, against sides including Arsenal and Man United, and I was thrilled to bits," he said.

He said the former Wednesday manager Danny Wilson had rated his son and given him a two-year contract.

"But unfortunately about 12 months ago he developed a problem with a swollen ankle, toe and thumb.

"Doctors eventually concluded it was some form of arthritis." He said that it had become clear only recently that the condition was likely to end his career in football.

He said his son had been a bit down and depressed about that but he did not think this had any connection with his collapse last night.

"He was a very determined character," he said.

"Everybody loved him. He didn't have an enemy in the world. He was a loveable softie. He loved kids. It's tragic."

He said James was heartbroken at his brother's death.

"They had become really close over the past four or five years," he said.

He said Thomas, a former Tadcaster Grammar School pupil, had originally been at York City's Centre of Excellence.

But Sheffield Wednesday had always liked him and he had moved there about five years ago. He said his son had just begun to start coming to terms with being unable to pursue a career in football when the tragedy struck.

He said he and his son had been due to see the Sheffield Wednesday secretary this Wednesday to discuss what the future held.

Mr Staniforth added that James had gone to St James's Hospital, Leeds, today to ask a specialist whether two metal rods in his back - which had been causing him discomfort - could be removed.

Sheffield Wednesday said today that players will wear black armbands before tomorrow night's game at Bury and against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. A minute's silence will also be held before Saturday's home game.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends," said a spokesman.

John Hemmingham, chief executive of the fan group The Owls Trust, said: "It is a terrible shock. We offer our condolences to his family."

Tom was affectionately nicknamed Keegan - after Manchester City manager and former England captain Kevin Keegan - because of his hairstyle.

Updated: 15:33 Monday, August 20, 2001