Monitoring of young players can be improved

Ryan McBride wasn't a household name across Europe, but now his passing is being marked, much like those of footballers who have died in similarly inexplicable circumstances, writes David Shonfield

The ‘football family’ is one of those expressions that can make you cringe, but there are times like today when it is appropriate.

Ryan McBride was not a household name in France, or Italy, or Germany, or Austria, or Poland — or England for that matter — but the sudden death of the Derry City captain has been marked right across Europe, much like the tragic passing of others who died in similarly inexplicable circumstances, both on and off the pitch.