Death of former Tottenham defender Justin Edinburgh

Leyton Orient's director, Justin Edinburgh, died at the age of 49 from a heart attack.

The club announced the death of Edinburgh in a statement, indicating that the former Tottenham defender had died Saturday after being arrested on Monday.

"We are utterly sorry for this tragedy," said President of the East Nigel Travis.

"All our thoughts and love go to the Edinburgh family and the messages that flooded the club last week teach us that the football world in general will share our feelings."

Edinburgh had just guided Orient towards the promotion of the English Football League after taking office in November 2017, as the club began an in-depth reconstruction.

"The success that Justin brought to Leyton Orient was incredible, but above all it had a positive impact on all of us – a wonderful and inspiring human being will be his legacy and will remain forever for us," added Travis.

Tottenham Hotspur, for whom Edinburgh played in the 1990s, tweeted, "We are deeply saddened and shocked to hear the pbading of Justin Edinburgh.

"Our deepest condolences and thoughts accompany his family and friends in this extremely difficult time, as well as all the people who worked alongside Justin in Leyton Orient."

As a left-back, Edinburgh has made a name for Tottenham, making over 250 appearances in ten years, winning the FA Cup in 1991 and the League Cup in 1999.

"We are deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the pbading of Justin Edinburgh," Spurs said.

"Our deepest condolences and thoughts accompany his family and friends in this extremely difficult time, as well as all the people who worked alongside Justin in Leyton Orient."

Edinburgh also played for Portsmouth and Billericay, having started his career at Southend.

As a manager, he worked at Billericay, Fisher Athletic, Grays Athletic, Rushden and Diamonds, Newport, Gillingham and Northampton before taking over in Orient.

Two other clubs previously managed by Edinburgh tweeted their condolences.

Northampton Town wrote: "Everyone at Northampton Town Football Club is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the pbading of former manager Justin Edinburgh."

Gillingham tweeted, "Everyone at Gillingham Football Club is thinking of Justin Edinburgh's friends, family and colleagues at @leytonorientfc at this very difficult time. Such sad news. RIP Justin Edinburgh. "

The League Managers Association paid tribute to Edinburgh. Its president, Howard Wilkinson, called him a "true professional."

Wilkinson said: "A man who has worked hard and who has been successful as a player at the highest level of football and turned his love of football into a career of a lifetime as a coach and in as a manager.

"By the time he should celebrate his team's success and prepare for the league football awards next season, he was lost too early for the game and for his community."

Gary Neville tweeted: "My deepest condolences to all your family Justin and everyone in Leyton East. You are a champion who has led a team that played with your mind. "

Neville is co-owner of Salford City, which finished second behind Orient in the National League this season.

The Leyton Orient players have expressed their shock at the news of the death of their coach.

Defender Marvin Ekpiteta tweeted: "Lost for words."

And winger James Brophy wrote: "A wonderful man, who had a positive impact on everyone he met, no matter how much time you spent with him! Never be forgotten! Thank you for everything."