Other
Doug Loft, former Port Vale and Gillingham captain, dies aged 39
Summarised by MatchPal
Former Port Vale and Gillingham captain Doug Loft has died aged 39 following a sudden medical emergency.
Doug Loft, who captained Port Vale and Gillingham during his 18-year playing career, died suddenly over the weekend aged 39 following a medical emergency. The midfielder made over 420 appearances across his career, including more than 170 league games for Vale, and was named the club's player of the year in 2011-12 before captaining them to League One promotion. Both clubs have paid tribute to Loft, remembering his leadership, passion and dedication.
Summary by MatchPal from the original report at independent.co.uk. Reporting and images belong to the source.
In this story
Clubs
People
- D. Loft
Reports on this story
UK timesStrong6 reports from 5 outlets. First reported by Mirror, 12 Oct.
- BBC Sport
- The Independent
- talkSPORT
- MailOnline
- Mirror
- Doug Loft dead aged 39: Former Port Vale captain dies following 'medical emergency' as former clubs pay tribute to midfielderMailOnline
- Doug Loft, former Port Vale and Gillingham captain, dies aged 39The IndependentThis article
- Doug Loft, former Port Vale and Gillingham captain, dies aged 39The Independent
- Ex-Port Vale & Gillingham captain Loft dies at 39BBC Sport
- EFL clubs mourn passing of former captain Doug Loft after medical emergencytalkSPORT
Next on TV
UK times
League Two · Matchweek 14
Port Vale v 
RochdaleSat, 31 Oct 2026
