Former West Ham and Manchester United goalkeeper Les Sealey was in Rayleigh looking to buy a home on the day he died.

The 43-year-old was with his family looking at a bungalow in the area when he started to feel unwell.

He drove himself to Southend Hospital but later died of a heart attack.

Friend Tony Hoskins said: "I know one of Les's boys lives in Rayleigh and I think Les himself was looking to buy a bungalow there.

"From what I've heard he had gone down to have a look at a property when he started feeling unwell. He drove himself to Southend Hospital, and we all know what happened from there. It is devastating."

Sealey's sons, George and Joe, both play for West Ham. Sealey joined the Hammers in November 1994 and made his debut against Newcastle in March 1996 before moving to Leyton Orient later that year.

He returned to West Ham two years later as the club's goalkeeping coach, but left this summer in the wake of manager Harry Redknapp's departure.

Former Manchester United team-mate Paul Parker, who also played for England and now lives in Billericay, said: "I heard he was in Rayleigh and was actually living there, but that surprised me because when he left Manchester he moved down to Loughton and I always assumed he was Loughton through and through."

Richard Allman at Southend coroner's office said: "Mr Sealey was admitted to the hospital on Sunday, August 19, where he later died."

In a lengthy career, Sealey's major achievements came at Old Trafford in the early 1990s.

He replaced Jim Leighton in the 1990 FA Cup Final replay victory over Crystal Palace at Wembley and then kept his place the following season, starring in the 1991 European Cup Winners' Cup final win over Barcelona in Rotterdam.

Keeper - Les Sealey

By James Howell

Reporter's e-mail: james.howell@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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