Footballer's daughter frustrated by inquest delay

The daughter of a former professional footballer, who died in 2021, said she was "very disappointed" that an inquest into his death had been adjourned for a further 14 months.

Colin Flatt - who played for Southend United, Leyton Orient and Barnet in the 1960s and 70s - died in September 2021, aged 81.

An eight-day inquest into his death commenced on 9 June, but assistant coroner Tina Harrington ruled that, for legal reasons, it should be heard in front of a jury, with the soonest available date being August 2026.

Debra Taylor, daughter of Mr Flatt, told Essex Coroner's Court that "words fail me" after the adjournment was announced.

Mr Flatt was described as "forever a Shrimper" in a tribute from the Southend United Ex-Players Association, which said that he scored eight goals in 24 appearances during the 1966-67 season.

He also walked out at Wembley in the FA Trophy for Barnet in 1972, and played for other clubs including Romford.

Mrs Taylor expressed her frustration as the inquest into her father's death was delayed for more than a year.

Addressing the assistant coroner, she asked: "Is the jury going to make a difference? I don't know. Will the outcome be different to what you would have ruled? I don't know."

"It was a delay which could have been avoided."

Ms Harrington told Mrs Taylor, "I can only apologise", adding that her decision to adjourn had been a "reluctant" one.

Mr Flatt's partner of 20 years, Melanie Leahy, has been one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Lampard Inquiry into more than 2,000 mental health deaths in Essex between 2000 and 2023.

In 2012, Ms Leahy's son Matthew, 20, died while he was under the care of NHS mental health services in the county.

The inquest into Mr Flatt's death is set to resume on 17 August 2026.

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