Darius Vassell today paid an emotional tribute to his good friend Jlloyd Samuel who died this week, stressing: “He showed me what our world has to offer us – he will forever be missed”.Vassell, still heartbroken over the loss of Samuel, spoke glowingly of our former full-back.He said: “Jlloyd was my brother on and off the pitch. He encouraged me to believe in myself as a player and person and always checked up on me to make sure I was ok. “Spending time with his family and friends in tribute to his life and achievements in the short space of time he was with us, will forever be an honour. I’ve never met someone who could smile their way through adversity like Jlloyd.“He always found a way to stand tall and provide support for those he loved and cherished whilst enjoying the finer things in life like family, music, art, travel and the general freedom to express his warm personality. Wherever he went he made an impact. He did not deserve this, it’s still impossible for me to fathom.“I was there when he met and fell in love with his partner and I was a privileged guest at their private wedding ceremony. Since then I’ve witnessed her become an amazing mother and devoted wife. She has supported Jay with his health and fitness, directly assisted with his business ventures and made their house a warm and welcoming home for the family to thrive and guests to enjoy. She doesn’t deserve to suffer such heartbreak.“Jlloyd showed me that he was much more than a footballer and through him I have met so many special people and gained so much knowledge of what our world has to offer us. My deepest condolences go out to his wife and family especially his four beautiful children. Jlloyd Samuel - you will forever be missed.”
I met J'Lloyd a few times and found him to be a really nice, humble guy. The first time I met him, he and John McGrath came into the store I worked in. They were both youth players at the time and I recognised J'Lloyd but not John. We had a pleasant conversation about Villa and he took the mickey out of John that I had recognised him but not John. I wished him well with his future career and thought that was that. He came back to the store again after that, I think once on his own and once with his then girlfriend. One of the other staff members (a Liverpool fan) had the cheek to ask for complimentary tickets but I think he liked that I hadn't even thought of asking and left a couple for me instead. RIP J'Lloyd. You were one of the good ones.