Much-loved football coach took his own life, inquest told

A MUCH-LOVED football coach took his own life, a coroner has ruled.

- BRYANA FRANCIS

Alex Meek, 31, was found by his father at home in Gladstone Terrace, Merthyr Tydfil, on November 25, 2023, after attending a colleague's retirement party.

Pontypridd Coroner’s Court heard last week that the former promising youth footballer, who represented Wales at under-14 level and scored the winning goal in a game, was off work suffering with stress and had received angry messages from the husband of a woman who he kissed after a retirement party.

Coroner David Regan told the court that Alex had been signed off work a month earlier, on October 26, 2023, from the school where he was a well-being and learning coach.

But he said Alex was a “fit and healthy adult” who went to the gym once a day and mountain biking twice a month. He was also a football coach with Heolgerrig Red Lion FC.

A statement by Alex's father, Paul Meek, was read to the court.

Talking about the days leading up to his death, Mr Meek said: “He was his normal self, he was happy and he was discussing his plans for the future.”

On the evening of November 24, 2023, Alex attended a retirement party for one of his colleagues at Pentrebach Labour Club, a night his dad said Alex had been looking forward to.

The court heard at 2.30am his father went to the bathroom and saw Alex in the kitchen. “He said it was quite a good night, he got two Welsh cakes and made a squash and we went upstairs. He had had a drink but he was still in good spirits, talking about the night and how he enjoyed it.”

Just after 8am Alex's father left for football coaching but got back around 10am. He went up to his son’s room to say goodbye as he was going away with a friend.

When he went in his room, he discovered his son’s body and immediately shouted for his brother, Anthony, who was in the room next door.

They performed CPR, used a defibrillator and phoned 999 but Alex was pronounced dead at the scene.