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By CIARAN FOREMAN Published: 06: 25 AEST, 7 May 2025 | Updated: 06: 30 AEST, 7 May 2025 4 View comments Tributes are pouring in for a former Fulham and AFC Wimbledon goalkeeper who died suddenly at the young age of 37. Corrin Brooks-Meade, who made 23 appearances for the Montserrat national team, died on April 5 after spending a month in a coma. The news of his death is only now being shared by grieving teammates. The footballer had suffered an unexpected stroke and bleed on the brain on March 5, which sent his body into the prolonged period of unconsciousness before he tragically passed away. The 37-year-old had been living in Cyprus after retiring from club football - but was still playing internationally and would likely have featured in Montserrat's CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers next month. After the shock death of his teammate, Montserrat captain and Colchester United striker Lyle Taylor has paid an emotional tribute to Corrin, saying his death is the 'hardest thing he has dealt with in football'. Taylor told Mail Sport: 'You don't expect it to be one of your own. ' '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. Former Fulham and AFC Wimbledon goalkeeper, Corrin Brooks-Meade (pictured), died on April 6 after being in coma for three weeks Lyle Taylor has paid an emotional tribute to Corrin, saying his death is the 'hardest thing he has dealt with in football' 'You don't expect it to be one of your own, ' Taylor told Mail Sport as he paid an emotional tribute to his international teammate 'It's going to sound really cliché, 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. ' Born in 1988 in Enfield, London, Corrin was destined to be a footballer. His uncle, Raphael Meade, played for Arsenal and Real Betis in the 80s before spending most of his career at a spate of clubs in the English football pyramid. Corrin himself went on to play for a handful of sides in the EFL including Fulham - where he featured for their reserves - as well as Darlington and AFC Wimbledon. But after moving to Cyprus to join Ermis Aradippou FC in 2008, he spent the rest of his club career with different sides on the island such as Omonia Nicosia - one of the country's most successful outfits. Despite not having a club since May 2021, Corrin continued to play for Montserrat and had launched his own food business in Ayia Napa, Jerk and Jollof, which Taylor said was 'doing really well'. The pair's friendship started after they met in 2015 when receiving their first caps for Montserrat together in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers. Born in 1988 in Enfield, London, Corrin was destined to be a footballer - his uncle, Raphael Meade, played for Arsenal and Real Betis in the 80s before spending most of his career at a spate of clubs in the English football pyramid Despite not having a club since May 2021, Corrin continued to play for Montserrat and had launched his own food business in Cyprus called Jerk and Jollof, which Taylor had helped him start and said was 'doing really well' The pair first met in 2015 when they received their first caps for Montserrat in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers - despite losing 2-1, he and Corrin shared the pitch for the first time and the striker bagged a goal on his international debut After moving to Cyprus to join Ermis Aradippou FC in 2008, Corrin spent the rest of his club career with different sides on the island such as Omonia Nicosia - one of the country's most successful outfits Despite losing the tie 2-1 to Curacao in March 2015, he and Corrin shared the pitch for the first time and Taylor bagged a goal on his international debut. And the striker says Montserrat's upcoming CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier against Belize will be an 'emotional one' as the team get together for the first time following their goalkeeper's death. 'It gives everyone an even bigger reason to go and win the game, ' Taylor said. 'We have a really tight-knit group here and it's been hard for everybody. There's been a lot of memories shared in our group chat and that's been difficult. 'But it's a reminder that we need to celebrate the things we've done and the time we've spent together, because all too soon it can be gone. 'As sad as it's been, it's a real eye-opener and kick in the backside. We have to appreciate where we are, what we've done, how we've done it, and the time we've spent together. ' Corrin played for a handful of sides in the EFL including Fulham - where he featured for their reserves (above) - as well as Darlington and AFC Wimbledon Taylor says Montserrat's upcoming CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier against Belize this June will be an 'emotional one' as the team get together for the first time following their goalkeeper's death Taylor said: 'We have a really tight-knit group here and it's been hard for everybody, there's been a lot of memories shared in our group chat and that's been difficult' Taylor also praised Corrin's attitude to representing the tiny Caribbean island of Montserrat over the nine years he played for the side. Despite being born in the UK like many of the Montserrat internationals, Corrin, he said, played for the island with pride. 'We are a tiny nation and our team is made up of a group of boys who come from all different parts of the world and the UK, ' Taylor added. 'Corrin was goalkeeper and general, and he led in his own way. While the rest of us could be quite abrasive and brutal at times, Corrin was never that. 'He was a leader by example. He led the boys, the defenders and carried them on a merry dance at times with his humour at times. 'I spent the most time with him after games, when we would come together as a group and have a few drinks. We'd have a chat and a laugh and things like that. Those were real bonding moments. ' Taylor praised Corrin's attitude to representing the tiny island of Montserrat (above) internationally Taylor said: 'He was a leader by example. He led the boys, the defenders and carried them on a merry dance at times with his humour at times' Taylor, who spent three years with Nottingham Forest from 2020 to 2023, added that football 'pales into insignificance' when dealing with the loss of a close friend. 'Without football I would never have met Corrin, but we pour so much of our lives into it, ' he said. 'Sometimes we forget that we are finite and get caught up in day-to-day nonsense, in things that don't really matter. 'It's important to put those things to one side and remember that there are much more important things than simply playing a game of football. 'The people around you and the people you love are way more important than anything else. ' Taylor said football 'pales into insignificance' when dealing with a loss of a close friend He added: 'The people around you and the people you love are way more important than anything else' Corrin's brother, Emmerson, 41, who also played football - representing Anguilla twice internationally - told Mail Sport the loss had 'devastated' their family. Emmerson quickly flew to Cyprus after hearing his younger brother had first fallen ill, and said his death had shocked so much because he had always kept fit. 'Corrin was 100 per cent dedicated on his health and fitness, ' Emmerson said. 'He was very conscious about the things that he ate and the things that he would put inside his body. 'So even though he stopped playing club football, he is someone who always kept himself regularly exercising all the time. 'He wouldn'use traditional gyms. He would be running and do a lot of resistance training. That's how he kept himself fit. 'He'd done a lot of sponsored charity events out in Cyprus, completing five and 10k runs as well. 'He was an extremely fit individual, which makes it even more confusing and shocking. ' Corrin's (right) brother, Emmerson (left), 41, who also played football - representing Anguilla twice internationally - told Mail Sport the loss had 'devastated' their family As the family now prepare for Corrin's funeral on May 8, Emmerson has been able to reflect on the happy memories spent with his little brother, who he described as a 'gentle giant'. 'I have so many memories with my brother and us playing football in the back garden over the park in London, ' Emmerson said. 'I'd stick him in goal and wind him up as initially he wasn't really too interested in football. But I was an outfielder and needed someone to practice my shots against and as my little brother he did get stuck there. 'It wasn't until he got into secondary school where a lot of his friends were very keen on football that Corrin really started to take more of an interest. 'Once we realised that he was a bit more serious we knew he would go far. 'I'm so proud of where he ended up. As a family we all are. We love and miss him so much. ' In a statement announcing Corrin's death, the Montserrat Football Association said: 'It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Corrin Brooks-Meade our national team goalkeeper, teammate, and friend. 'Corrin was not only an exceptional athlete on the pitch but a beacon of passion, dedication, and humility off it. 'His unwavering commitment to the Montserrat National Team and the beautiful game earned him respect from players and fans alike. His legacy, leadership, and memorable saves will forever be etched in our hearts. 'To his family and loved ones, we extend our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May you find strength and peace in the love and memories shared. 'Thank you, Corrin, for everything. You will always be one of our Emerald Boys. '
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