Footballer dies days after being beaten up at train station

Tributes have been paid to a football player by his family and club after he died three days after a ‘serious assault’ at a train station.

James Hitchcock, 32, suffered serious head injuries after the assault at York railway station on Sunday night, but he died on Wednesday.

The Barton Town FC player, who was married with a young son, died with his family at his side in hospital.

They have now released a tribute to Josh, saying their ‘hearts are broken’ by his death, while his club said it was devastated.

His family said: ‘We still cannot comprehend the events that have taken place.

‘James was one in a million, the life and soul of the party and did not deserve to be taken from us so soon.

‘His memory will live on in the life of his beautiful baby boy.’

Josh was the first team goalkeeper for Barton Town, who said all games scheduled for this week will be postponed ‘as a mark of respect’.

The club’s chair, Mark Gregory, called James a ‘popular but quiet’ member of the team, who joined from Bridlington Town at the start of the season.

He added: ‘The news of James’s death has been hard to take in. It’s horrible.

‘James was a popular member of the club. We are all devastated. We are a very close-knit club.’

Meanwhile his former team, Bridlington Town FC, said they were in ‘disbelief at James’ death, adding: ‘The word “devastated” does not explain how we as a club feel at this time.

‘Hitch will always be on our minds and in our hearts and our deepest condolences and thoughts and prayers go to April and Freddie and all the family.’

A man has been charged with murder and affray following Josh’s death.

Mckenzie Dicicco, 22, from Harsley Road, Stockton-on-Tees, is set to appear at Leeds crown court on Friday.

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