God, this one hurts. The football world is reeling after former Fulham goalkeeper Corrin Brooks-Meade passed away on April 5, aged only 37. A whole month in a coma before the end. Just... devastating.

When a teammate becomes family

Brooks-Meade suffered a stroke and brain bleed that left him fighting for his life for weeks before his body finally gave in. I remember watching him as a promising young keeper at Fulham's reserve side back in the day - tall, commanding presence, the kind of confidence that made strikers second-guess themselves.

Never quite broke through to the first team at Craven Cottage, though.

His journey took an unexpected turn after leaving the Cottagers. He was thisclose to signing with Bournemouth when they were battling it out in League One, but instead carved out quite the career over in Cyprus. Seven different clubs there! Talk about making your mark in a foreign country.

The Montserrat connection that changed everything

What many casual fans don't know is that Brooks-Meade proudly represented Montserrat 23 times on teh international stage. It was there he formed an unbreakable bond with current Colchester striker Lyle Taylor, who captains the national side.

Taylor's tribute absolutely broke me.

"When it's somebody your age who you've spent so much time with over the years and seen grow both as a footballer and as a man, it hits you hard," Taylor told the Daily Mail, his words carrying the weight of genuine loss.

"It's going to sound really cliche, but Corrin was a leader. He was a brick wall. He was probably, in all honesty, the best of us as a group. He was just a brilliant person and we're all lucky to have been able to share special moments with him."

From Wimbledon loan spell to international stalwart

Looking back at his career, Brooks-Meade had that brief loan spell at AFC Wimbledon back in 2007 - feels like a lifetime ago now. I actually caught one of his games there during a particularly miserable rainy Tuesday night. The kind where you question your life choices while huddled under a leaky stadium roof, clutching a lukewarm cup of tea that cost £3.50.

But it was Cyprus where the Londoner truly found his footballing home.

Life after the final whistle

Brooks-Meade hung up his club boots in 2021, though he continued representing Montserrat until just last year. Always loyal to the international shirt.

What I find particularly poignant is how he reinvented himself after football - opening an Afro-Caribbean food business in Cyprus. I've seen so many players struggle with that transition, but he seemed to embrace the challenge. Creating something meaningful beyond the pitch.

Football's in his blood, too. His uncle was Raphael Meade who wore the Arsenal shirt from '81 to '85.

The outpouring that says everything

Fans have been absolutely devastated. One wrote: "So sad. Condolences to the family." Another supporter shared: "Awful news to hear. What a player he's been for us over the years, completely taken aback by it." A third simply said: "Rest in peace Corrin sad to hear of your passing buddy."

The GoFundMe set up in his honor has seen donations pouring in from supporters adn former teammates alike. That kind of response tells you everything about the man, doesn't it?

37 is no age at all. Not for anyone, let alone an athlete who should have had decades ahead of him.

Sometimes this job is just writing about transfer rumors and tactical breakdowns. And then there are days like today when you're reminded that behind every footballer is a human being with friends, family, and dreams beyond the game.

Sleep well, Corrin.