Martin Garratt
Martin Blake George Garratt (22 February 1980 – 24 October 2014) was an English professional footballer who played as a midfielder in the Football League for York City, Mansfield Town and Lincoln City. Career. Born in York, North Yorkshire, Garratt grew up in Middlesbrough and he joined the York City youth system in 1996, turning professional in 1998. He made his first-team debut in a 3–0 defeat to Preston North End on 8 August 1998. He finished the 1998–99 season with 44 appearances and one goal.<ref name="York 1998/1999 player appearances"></ref> He trained with Leeds United after the  end of the season. He was sacked by York after experiencing personal problems and he was signed by Mansfield Town in 2000. He made his debut in a 1–0 defeat to Barnet and he finished the 1999–2000 season with six appearances for Mansfield.<ref name="Mansfield 1999/2000 player appearances"></ref> He went on to play for Irish club St Patrick's Athletic, where he made three appearances, before returning to England with Lincoln City in December. He made his debut in a 3–1 victory over Blackpool in the Football League Trophy on 9 January 2001. After making two further appearances for Lincoln  he joined Football Conference club Hednesford Town on loan in March. He made his debut in a 4–2 defeat to Doncaster Rovers and he finished the loan spell with two appearances.<ref name="Hednesford 2000/2001 player appearances"></ref> He joined North Ferriby United in August 2002. Style of play. Described as a "skilful left sided player", he was able to play as a left midfielder and a left back. York manager Alan Little said of him: "He's like a steam train. He just keeps going. His ability to get about the park has been amazing". Personal life. As of April 2008 , Garratt was under an anti-social behaviour order in Middlesbrough. Prior to his death, he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Death. Garratt died on 24 October 2014 in Middlesbrough. Police officers were called by ambulance service colleagues, to an address in Middlesbrough, on the evening of 24 October, to check on a man who had been taken seriously ill. The ambulance service subsequently reported that he had died. Following an investigation, officers deemed Garratt's death as not suspicious. Garratt's death was later determined as having been caused by effects of alcohol and prescribed drugs.