Chris Mitchell

Christopher Philip Mitchell (21 July 1988 – 7 May 2016) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a defender or midfielder.

Mitchell began his senior career at Scottish Premier League club Falkirk, who also loaned him to Ayr United. He then had a season in England with Bradford City, before joining Queen of the South in 2012. In his first season at Queen of the South he won the Scottish Challenge Cup and SFL Second Division; and was named in the division's PFA Scotland Team of the Year.

After complications from spinal surgery disrupted his third season at Queen of the South, he joined Clyde on a one-year deal in 2015; before leaving in February 2016 to establish a new career. Mitchell suffered from depression after his halted football career, and committed suicide at the age of 27. On 21 November 2009 he scored his only competitive goal for Falkirk; a 20-yard free kick in a 2–0 home win against Hamilton Academical.

Mitchell moved to Ayr United on loan on 22 January 2010 for the rest of the season. He made ten appearances for the club in the Scottish Football League First Division, scoring the opening goal of a 1–1 draw at Raith Rovers on 27 March again from another free kick, this time from 30 yards.

During his time at Falkirk, Mitchell won seven caps for the Scotland national under-21 football team. He made his debut against Aldershot Town On 27 August Mitchell provided three assists during a 4–2 home win against Barnet.

On 8 November he scored the winning spot-kick as the Bantams defeated Yorkshire neighbours Sheffield United 6–5 in a penalty shootout. This was in the quarter-finals of the Football League Trophy. On 19 November Mitchell scored his first goal for the club On 28 April 2012 Bradford announced that he would leave the club with his contract ended by mutual consent. Michael Flynn and Craig Fagan were also included in the announcement.

Queen of the South On 26 July 2012 Mitchell returned to Scotland initially on a one-year contract. He signed for newly relegated Scottish Football League Second Division team Queen of the South. He scored nine minutes into his debut for the Doonhamers. This goal on 4 August opened a 5–2 win over Alloa Athletic in the first round of the Scottish League Cup.

On 7 April 2013 Mitchell played in the Scottish Challenge Cup final at the Almondvale Stadium in Livingston. He played the full 120 minutes of the 1–1 draw against Partick Thistle. Mitchell scored with his side's penultimate kick in a penalty shootout they won 6–5. In his first season in Dumfries he played in 33 league games of a title winning campaign. He scored twice in that campaign – both against Stenhousemuir.

Next season back in the second tier Queens finished fourth making the playoffs. The 4–2 win over Elgin City at the Broadwood Stadium on 14 November 2015 was Mitchell's only career dismissal.

He left Clyde in February 2016 in order to focus on a new job.

Death Complications from surgery for spinal injury caused Mitchell to go from playing professionally for Queen of the South to part-time for Clyde while working in a factory. He eventually left the sport to train as a salesman for his uncle's company, but during his training he confessed that he was depressed and his family took him to see a psychologist; he was placed on medication but stopped taking it due to side effects. Falkirk did the same against Hibernian four days later.

Clyde, Falkirk, Queen of the South and Bradford joined with Mitchell's family to make a charitable foundation in his name, to help former professionals make the transition into new jobs.

Honours Queen of the South Scottish Challenge Cup: 2012–13