A Croydon football coach has been gunned down by a balaclava-clad shooter on playing fields in West Wickham.

Ryan Musgrove, manager of Coney Hall Football Club, was found dead by police at Sparrows Den playing fields in Addington Road at 6.30pm.

He is understood to have been shot several times.

At this stage it is believed the suspect was waiting nearby and rode off on a mountain bike after the shooting.

He was wearing a balaclava and mask over his face.

The victim had gone to the fields to play football.

DCI John McFarlane said there would have been a large number of people at the scene.

A statement on the football club's website said: "It is with the deepest regret that Coney Hall Football Club confirm that 1st Team Manager Ryan Musgrove died suddenly today.

"The thoughts of everyone within the club, are with Ryans family to whom we send our heartfelt condolences.

"Ryan will be remembered at the club as a huge personality and as a great football man who has made great strides in improving the Senior Section at Coney Hall during the past two seasons. He is missed."

Kevin Imber, Coney hall FC club secretary, said: “He was a fun guy, a good footballing man and as for life outside the club we did not know much about him.

“We never really discussed life away from the club - just about football.

“As far as a manager at the club he will be dearly missed.

"It was a big shock for everyone at the club.

“Our sympathy and concern is with his family.”

A post mortem examination is due to take place this afternoon.

There have been no arrests over the incident.

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