Family and friends of a “simply brilliant” football-mad dad have been left in shock and grief after he collapsed at a gym and later died in hospital.
Tim Sells, who coached youngsters at Whitstable Town FC and Tankerton, suffered a cardiac arrest while working out at Snap Fitness in Herne Bay.
The 47-year-old was taken to the QEQM Hospital in Margate but he never regained consciousness and died three days later with his family at his bedside.
His death has also rocked the football community across Kent where he was widely respected for his coaching skills and knowledge.
Tim, who was also known as ‘Sellsy’, worked as football development manager for Millwall FC Community Trust and lived in Herne Bay with his long-term partner Lisa Goodger and their children Cody, 13 and Demi, 10.
The couple had been together for 15 years and got engaged on her 50th birthday last May.
Lisa says his family have been left in “unimaginable shock”.
“The first we knew that anything was wrong was when a policeman arrived at our home in Talmead Road and said Tim had been rushed to hospital after collapsing at the gym,” she said.
“We expected to find him recovering, so it was an unimaginable shock to be told that he had suffered brain damage.”
Lisa said that doctors feared he would not regain consciousness and he passed away with his family beside him on August 20.
“One minute he was with us and the next he was gone,” she said.
“It was a horrific ordeal, which we are still struggling to come to terms with.”
Tim grew up in Whitstable and later attended St Anselm’s School in Canterbury. He went on to study for a business degree at the University of East London.
But football was his passion and later became his job with roles at Gillingham, Crystal Palace and, since 2021, Millwall FC.
The club said it was “devastated” by his sudden death.
Paying tribute, Community Trust CEO Sean Daly said: “Tim played a pivotal role in expanding the department into the leading sports provider across Lewisham and Southwark.
“His unwavering passion for nurturing both players and people shone through in every aspect of his work.”
His unwavering passion for nurturing both players and people shone through in every aspect of his work…
In a 2023 radio interview, Tim reflected on his role, saying he felt fortunate to do the job he does.
“I see first-hand the impact our work has on the kids in the local community. I feel very blessed to do this role,” he said.
Mr Daly added: “We are all devastated by the sudden loss of our friend and colleague.
“His kind-hearted nature touched everything he did. He was driven by a genuine desire to help others and make a positive impact.
“Regardless of background or circumstance, Tim always looked for ways to support others in reaching their goals. His warmth, generosity, and spirit will never be forgotten. He will be profoundly missed.”
Tim found his love of football at an early age as his dad was a referee.
The QPR fan met Lisa at the Monument pub in Canterbury where she was working part-time as a barmaid and he played for the pub team.
She recalled: “He was kind, funny and a little quirky and we just hit it off. There wasn’t a bad bone in him.
“If he wasn’t coaching, playing or watching football, he was talking about it.”
Writing on Tankerton FC’s Facebook page, youth teams club secretary Dean Gonsalves told how Tim managed the club’s veterans team to Kent County Cup success and ran development sessions.
He also mentored students from Canterbury Christ Church University, organised futsal programmes and summer schools and coached numerous teams.
“Above all, he inspired players and coaches alike to get involved in grassroots football,” Mr Gonsalves added.
“We all like to think we know football but, when you spoke to Tim, you realised just how deep the game goes – and how much knowledge and passion he carried. A UEFA B-licensed coach, he also served as a mentor with the Kent FA, helping clubs and coaches across the county. He was simply brilliant.”
A Whitstable Town FC spokesperson said Tim was “a huge part of the club in recent years”.
“His passion, commitment, and support for the teams he was involved with made him a familiar and respected figure to so many across local football,” they said.
“Above all, Tim was a friend – kind, genuine, and always willing to give his time for others. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.”
He was our baby brother and we are all heartbroken…
Following his death, the family says some of his organs were donated for transplant.
“It is what he would have wanted and it’s a crumb of comfort to know that someone else’s life might be saved or improved,” they say.
As well as Lisa and his children, Tim leaves three older sisters, Angela, Anne-Marie and Jennifer.
“He was our baby brother and we are all heartbroken,” said Anne-Marie.
Friends and family have launched a GoFundMe page to help support his partner and children and also to provide some sort of lasting legacy in his memory.
His family is also urging more people to get training in CPR which they feel could have bought Tim precious minutes before he got to hospital.
His sister Angela said: “Losing Tim in these circumstances has been devastating for all concerned and it leaves you wondering what could have been done to prevent it.
“Many people have asked what they could do to help or support and this is something we have thought long and hard about.
“Please train in how to administer CPR because every second really does count. Statistics are low, but if received early, and properly, CPR supports higher chances of survival until medical support arrives.
“Our brother was stubborn, and his health wasn’t always a priority to him – we all know life gets busy.
“So, if you or your loved ones haven’t had a routine health check – get one. It is so easy. Blood pressure machines and checks at pharmacies could well save you or a loved one. Please don’t take your health for granted.”
