Ex-Stoke captain Peter Handyside dies aged 49 as Potters lead tributes

10 February 2024 , 14:11

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Former Stoke captain Peter Handyside has died (Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Former Stoke captain Peter Handyside has tragically died at the age of 49, the club have announced.

Stoke City is saddened to learn of the death of former club captain Peter Handyside," they said in a statement. "Peter was a promotion winner with the Potters in 2002 before also helping preserve Championship status the following season.

"He featured on 88 occasions in red and white. The thoughts and condolences of everyone connected with the Club are with Peter's family and friends at this difficult time."

Handyside joined Stoke in 2001 from Grimsby Town, where he was a club legend after making over 200 appearances for them, and the Mariners also posted a touching tribute on social media.

"Everyone at the football club is heartbroken to learn of the untimely passing of former player Peter Handyside," they said. "Our thoughts are with Peter's family at this sad time. Once a Mariner, always a Mariner."

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The club also announced they will be having a minutes' applause in Handyside's memory ahead of their home game against Stockport this afternoon, with the Grimsby players also wearing black armbands.

Stoke's players and staff will also wear black armbands during their game against Blackburn Rovers as a mark of respect. Another of his former clubs, Barnsley, have also paid tribute to the defender.

Handyside captained Stoke to promotion from Division Two in 2002 (PA Archive/PA Images)

Handyside joined Barnsley from Stoke in 2003, spending a solitary season at the club before dropping down the leagues and ultimately retiring in 2007. "Barnsley Football Club is saddened to learn of the recent passing of our former player Peter Handyside," the Tykes said.

"Joining the Reds in the summer of 2003, Peter would spend just one year with the club after enormously successful spells with both Grimsby Town and Stoke City. A cultured defender, Peter would captain Barnsley in 2003/04 and helped steady a very rocky ship during that era as the Reds recovered from relegation and an eventual administration period.

"The Scot was never anything but professional and will be missed tremendously by all who knew him having truly made his mark on the game. Our thoughts as a Club are with all of Peter's family, friends and colleagues at what is clearly a very difficult time."

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Matthew Cooper