SHOCKED Sheffield Wednesday boss Peter Shreeves says the club has lost a "member of the family" with the tragic death of Thomas Staniforth.

The Owls manager paid tribute on the club's website to the 20-year-old defender, who collapsed and died while out with friends in York City centre on Sunday evening.

"It is tragic and it keeps hitting you," he said. "He was a member of the family and will be dearly missed. We are all shocked and saddened."

His comments came as a post-mortem examination into Thomas's death proved inconclusive.

Thomas's father, Gordon - a former York City star who lives in Copmanthorpe - said the post mortem had shown Thomas died of natural causes.

It had also ruled out meningitis and drugs as a cause of death, but it had not yet proved possible to establish what was the cause. "More tests will be needed," he said.

An inquest was due to open in York this afternoon.

The funeral will take place at 2pm on Friday at York Baptist Church in Priory Street, with donations requested in Thomas' memory for the National Deaf Children's Society.

Mr Staniforth said the Sheffield Wednesday manager was expected to attend, along with a group of Wednesday players who were Thomas's friends.

Mr Shreeves said the team had done very little training yesterday in preparation for a cup match tonight at Bury, during which the Sheffield players will wear black armbands.

"It has been a day to respect the lad we have lost," he said.

Updated: 11:29 Tuesday, August 21, 2001