Neville Neville - father to Gary, Phil and Tracey - passes away

Neville Neville has passed away after a heart attack. Photo / Getty

The father of England netball coach Tracey Neville has died in a Sydney hospital.

Neville Neville suffered a heart attack on arrival in Australia to watch his daughter, a former England star, take the helm for her first netball world titles.

His wife Jill travelled with him.

The 65-year-old former league cricketer and football agent was also the father of former England and Manchester United footballers Gary and Phil Neville, who flew to Sydney from the UK to be by their father's bedside.

"Our immediate thoughts are with Tracey and the Neville family and we please ask that the privacy of the family is respected at this time," England Netball said in a statement on Friday night.

News of Neville's death followed an emotional opening victory for England in the Netball World Cup on Friday afternoon, during which Tracey was visibly emotional.

After the emphatic 60-19 win over Scotland, the 38-old-year immediately left Sydney's Olympic Park for St Vincent's Hospital where her father was being cared for.

England Netball have confirmed the 38-year-old will continue as coach for the duration of the world titles.

Tributes have started flowing in from England's football community.

Bury Football Club, for which Neville was a former commercial director, said in a statement: "Our deepest condolences are extended to Jill, Gary, Philip and Tracey and the entire Neville family.

"Bury FC will pay tribute to Neville in due course and we ask everyone to allow the Neville family the time to grieve privately at this exceptionally sad time.

"We would like to end this statement by simply saying - 'Where would this Club be without Neville?"

"Rest in Peace big Nev."

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel added his condolences.

Sad news that Big Nev has passed away, deepest sympathies to @GNev2 @fizzer18 @traceynev and all the Neville family on their loss. #Ripnev

— Peter Schmeichel (@Pschmeichel1) August 7, 2015