A FOOTBALL club has led tributes to a former player who has died at the age of 20.

Marc Palin died on Saturday in hospital.

Floral tributes have been left near to a popular walking spot in Little Lever, close to where Marc was found on Friday before being taken to hospital.

Police have confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

Breightmet Wanderers AFC and his uncle have paid tribute to Marc describing him as “much loved”.

Marc, a former pupil of Bolton St Catherine’s Academy, played with the club until his mid-teens.

Chairman Wayne Gates said: “Marc was hugely loved by the club, Breightmet Wanderers is a family.

“His father Brian, is a coach here and his brother Cole plays in the under-15s team.

“We are all devastated by the sudden and unexpected death of Marc, it has been an incredibly difficult few days.

“Marc was one of the original members of the football club, joining us at the age of nine. He would throw himself into all the activities we had on ­— and it was his team and another which took part in a penalty shootout to raise money for our mini-bus many years ago.

“He stayed a member until his teenage years, and his dad is still involved, managing the Little Dribblers, for those aged three to five, the under-15s and the Men’s Team.

“We are supporting, and will continue to support the family with whatever they need.”

Marc lived in Breightmet and also had another younger brother Stephen.

“Marc was a lovely lad. He always had a smile when you saw him,” said Mr Gates who is organising a memorial walk in honour of Marc with members of the football club to Holcombe.

Marc’s uncle, Craig Fletcher, will also be taking part in a walk, with his cousin and two of Marc’s friends. They will be walking to Blackpool this Saturday to raise awareness of mental health issues.

Mr Fletcher said: “We are a very close family and are devastated, Marc was my favourite. My cousin Danny Spencer, is coming on the walk.

“The walk, which will set off at 8am from Red Lane, will be very emotional, but it is important for me to do this. I will be going in fancy dress because Marc would have liked that, it would have made him laugh.

“I will be carrying a flag with Marc’s picture and I just want to raise awareness of mental health and to encourage people to talk ­— anyone can come and talk to us as we are walking, if they need to.

“I will be taking a collection bucket to raise money to support the family with the funeral and any money left over will go to charity supporting mental health.”

Current coronavirus regulations mean that the walk organised by the football club is not open to everyone and only members of the Men’s Team will be taking part, as no more than 20 people are allowed. They will walk in pairs ­— adhering to strict two metres distancing ­— from the club ground Dolan Park to Peel Tower in Holcombe.

They will walk down Greenroyd Avenue, where the founding members of the club, Elaine and Ken Dolan, who the ground is named after, live.

Mr Gates said: “We have organised this after speaking with the police, they have agreed that we can do this as long as we keep people safe.

“I understand that many others would have wanted to join us in, but in the current situation that is not possible. But people can still get involved by coming to their doors as we walk past and we will also be carrying collection buckets if they want to donate in support of the family.”

He added that after restrictions were lifted, other events would be organised to show how much Marc was loved and that ‘he will never be forgotten’.

“I am hoping to organise a Marc Palin Memorial Match every year," said Mr Gates. “The family have asked me to pass on their thanks for the support they have received, with Brian wanting to mention in particular Andrew Bowling and Jade Gethins from The Withins, who have raised £500 and Andrea Taylor Brook, who the family don’t know but has been raising money.”

The walk takes place this Saturday at 9.15am and will pass through Newby Road, Greenroyd Avenue, Stich mi’ Lane before back to the club to start the 12 mile walk.

For more information visit Breightmet Wanderers AFC Facebook Page.

To donate visit the Justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/marcpalinmemorialfund