MESSAGES of support have been flooding in to the family of York rugby league star St John Ellis, who died suddenly aged 41.

Well-wishers have sent hundreds of text messages and phone calls since the former Great Britain winger died of a suspected heart attack after leading a pre-season training session with Doncaster Lakers on New Year's Eve.

His older brother, David Lloyd, 53, of Burnholme Avenue, York, said the family were still coming to terms with their loss, but the support from people who knew St John had been "phenomenal".

"I have had hundreds of texts and the phone hasn't stopped ringing - he really was a man of the people," said Mr Lloyd. "I think the main response from everyone has been one of shock because you don't expect somebody who was super fit like St John to die like that at 41 years old.

"I think everybody is just numbed that this could have happened to someone like him."

Mr Ellis, pictured, had been head coach at Doncaster since 1999 and was the sport's longest-serving professional coach. He played for many top teams since first playing professionally for York and was capped for Great Britain.

Mr Ellis kept in contact with his enormous family - he was one of nine brothers and six sisters and relatives were stunned by his sudden death.

Mr Lloyd said: "To me St John was my best friend as well as my brother, which makes it very hard. I only saw him last Wednesday when he came to my house with the kids, and we used to see each other usually about once a week. We are quite a close-knit family and we are all getting through this together."

Tributes have poured in from the world of rugby league to a man who went from playing the amateur game in York to scoring 40 tries in one season for Castleford, playing in a Challenge Cup final and representing Great Britain.

Mr Ellis grew up in Fulford and went to Fulford School, starting his rugby league career with amateur club Southlands. He joined York before moving to a higher level.

The words: "We'll remember you , St John Ellis 1964 to 2005" are at the top of the Doncaster Lakers website. The club's chairman, John Wright, has pledged to achieve their shared dream of taking the club into Super League.

In last night's Evening Press, Mr Ellis's widow, Mel, said: "No words can ever explain what we are feeling at the moment."

She went on to say he would be "desperately missed" by herself and their two daughters, Indyia, eight, and Maia, seven.

A date for Mr Ellis's funeral will be set once a post mortem examination has been carried out.

Updated: 09:33 Tuesday, January 03, 2006