Pavel Srnicek dead: Former Newcastle goalkeeper dies aged 47 after heart attack

Srnicek was on a life support machine in hospital in the Czech Republic after suffering a cardiac arrest nine days ago

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Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek has died at the age of 47, it has been confirmed.

Srnicek, who played for Newcastle between 1991 and 1998 before returning for a short spell in the 2006/07 season, suffered a cardiac arrest on Sunday, 20 December, while out running near his home in Ostrava.

Srnicek was placed into a medically induced coma upon his arrival at hospital, but his agent, Steve Wraith, has announced his tragic death nine days after his heart attack.

Wraith said in a statement: "It is with deep sadness that I have to announce the passing of former Newcastle United player Pavel Srnicek."

“Pavel suffered a cardiac arrest before the Christmas period in his home country and had been in an induced coma in hospital with his close family around his bedside. Despite the best medical attention the final brain scans on Monday showed irreversible damage and the decision had to be taken to switch off the life support machine. Pav passed away on the afternoon of Tuesday 29th December 2015 with his family by his side.

“Pavel, the goalkeeping coach at Sparta Prague, had recently been on a whistle stop tour of Tyneside to promote his autobiography 'Pavel Is A Geordie', something that he was very proud of. My final conversation with him was about getting the entertainers team back together one more time for charity next year as it will be 20 years since that Newcastle team almost won the Premier League. We will make that happen and celebrate this great man’s life together. United. Fans and players alike.

“Anyone wishing to send cards then please send to Newcastle Legends c/o collingwood buildings. 38 collingwood street. Newcastle. NE1 1JF.”

It is with deep sadness that i have to announce the passing of former Newcastle United Player Pavel Srnicek. Pavel...

Posted by Steve Wraith on Tuesday, 29 December 2015

Srnicek was signed in 1991 by former manager Jim Smith, and he remained at St James’ Park long enough to play under Ossie Ardiles, Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish as he quickly grew into a firm fan favourite.

He was part of the side that gained promotion to the Premier League in 1992/93 under Keegan’s reign, and featured heavily in the 1995/96 side that pushed Manchester United all the way before narrowly losing out in the race for the title.

After leaving the Magpies in 1998 to return to Banik Ostrava, the club where he started his career, Srnicek went on to play for Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth and West Ham, along with Brescia, Cosenza and Beira-Mar. Most recently, he returned to Newcastle in 2006 as injury cover for Shay Given, and made two further Premier League appearances in December of that season before leaving in June 2007.

He was back in Newcastle as recently as this month in order to host a book signing session for his new autobiography.