MIDDLESROUGH born striker Craig Farrell has died aged 39.

The former Carlisle United, York City and Whitby Town forward's death was announced last night. 

He made 85 appearances for the Cumbrian side scoring 18 goals after joining the club in 2002 after coming through Leeds United academy.

Craig Farrell: Pay your respects to former North East footballer here

He also spent three years with York City where he made 101 appearanes and scored 21 goals. 

Farrell scored 71 league goals across a career also taking in Rushden and Diamonds, Exeter and a host of non-league clubs. He ended his playing career with Whitby Town in 2015 where he played for three years. 

Carlisle chairman Andrew Jenkins told the club’s website: “I am so sorry to hear this news, Craig was such a likeable young man.

“I think we can all agree that 39 is such a young age. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this very sad time.”

Manager Paul Simpson added: “I speak on behalf of everybody at the club when I say that our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Oxford, where Farrell spent time on loan in 2009, tweeted: “We are saddened to learn of the death of our former striker Craig Farrell, aged 39. Our thoughts are with Craig’s family and friends.”

York City said that their 'thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time' while Whitby Town tweeted they were 'extremely saddened that hear of the passing'.

He earlier won three caps for England Under-16s, scoring once against Slovakia at the 1999 European Under-16 Championship.

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