TRIBUTES have been paid to a young footballer from Warminster who died suddenly on Wednesday last week after watching his favourite team win 3-0.

Niall Stewart, 19, suffered a triple brain haemorrhage shortly after arriving home from the bar where he had been watching Newcastle United’s victory over Manchester United.

He was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath and died shortly afterwards.

The former Kingdown School student was captain of Heytesbury Football Club, and had previously played with youth teams Warminster United, and Highbury.

His friends said that football was his life, and brother Aaron, 23, said: “It was a complete shock, he was a very healthy lad, he played football several times a week.

“Niall was all about football, he had loved Newcastle ever since he was young. I think because me and our old man are Manchester City fans, he wanted to be different.

“Ever since he was little he has been playing football, out in the street with his friends Sam and Kieran.

“We were always going on at him about trying out for Bristol Rovers, but he said he would rather stay and play football with his mates.

“He was a great lad, always there when you needed him, and even when you didn’t. He always put others first, and you couldn’t really ask for more from a brother.”

The pair worked together for Westbury Packaging, but younger brother Niall was keen to become a bricklayer, and had completed a course at Trowbridge College.

He lived with his family, Aaron, mum Sharon, dad Leigh and sister Cameryn, nine, in Ferris Mead.

He grew up on the same street as his friend Sam Sweetman, 20, who also played at Heytesbury.

“He was one of a kind, no one will ever be like him,” his grieving friend said.

“He was funny, he had a good heart and was the most likeable lad I’ve ever met.

“It is tragic that this happened, and it was such a shock as he was one of the healthiest lads you could ever meet.”

Mr Sweetman, a Manchester United supporter, was with Niall on the night of the match, and said his friend had been delighted with his team’s victory.

Another friend from the Heytesbury team, Kieran Edwards, 19, of Highbury Park, also played centre-back with Niall at Warminster United, where they won three seasons in a row.

He said: “I was devastated. I had only been speaking to him the night before, he called me to tell me how chuffed he was with the match result.

“He was a very likeable and funny guy who everyone got on with.

“He liked a bit of banter and you could have a good laugh with him at weekends. Football was the thing he really loved, and he taught a lot of people here how to tackle properly.

“He will never be forgotten.”

Friends are planning to stage a football tournament in Niall’s memory to raise funds for Heytesbury Football Club, although the date has yet to be confirmed.

His funeral service will be held at 1pm on Monday in Christ Church, Warminster.