Tributes have poured in for a young footballer who died after collapsing during a match for Tonbridge Angels.

Trialist Junior Dian fell unconscious on the pitch during a match against Whyteleafe FC at their Church Road ground in Surrey on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old was brought on as a substitute in the second half of the friendly, but fell to the floor 20 minutes later.

Both the club's physios rushed onto the pitch and gave CPR before paramedics arrived. Managers agreed to call a halt to the match in the 77th minute as staff battled to save the young man’s life.

Junior was transferred to St George's Hospital, Tooting, South London, where he later died.

Tributes have poured in from teammates and friends.

Andrew Steadman, a share holder for the club, said: "Tonbridge is a family club. Even if someone has only ever played 1 game for us they join our family. It's the club's darkest day."

Another player, Nathan Elder, said: "Thoughts are with Junior Dian's family. RIP"

Other teams, including Gills and Margate FC, joined the tributes for the young player.

Gills tweeted: "Our thoughts are with the family of Junior Dian who tragically collapsed and died playing for @TAFConline last night."

Kent MP and sports minister Tracey Crouch said: "Desperately sad news. My thoughts are with the family & friends of this young Tonbridge Angels footballer."

A statement on the Angels' site said: "Very sad news has been received that Junior Dian, aged, 23, passed away during the early hours of this morning.

"Today, football at Tonbridge Angels very much takes a back seat as everyone at the club tries to come to terms with this devastating news."

Steve Churcher, chairman of Tonbridge Angels said today: "This is devastating news and our only crumb of comfort is that Junior lost his life doing something he obviously enjoyed so much.

"All our thoughts and sympathies are with his family. Also I would like to thank everyone at Whyteleafe FC for their support and professionalism during this very distressing incident yesterday evening."

Junior was taken to hospital, accompanied by Tonbridge players Jerrome Sobers and James Folkes.

His family joined them but doctors couldn't save Dian's life.

Video: Steve Churcher speaks after the sad death of Junior Dian

Tonbridge Angels manager Steve McKimm has told of the terrible moment he heard the news.

McKimm said: "I told Jerrome to keep me informed and just after 1am I got a text to say Junior had passed away.

"I was like a baby. I couldn’t stop crying.

"Something like that, for a 24-year-old doing something he loves, it affects the family first and foremost but it affects other people as well.

"Nothing can prepare you for this and no words can describe it."

Neil Durling, the club's chaplain, has spoken to KentOnline about the devastating incident. He said: "Tonbridge Angels F.C is a close knit family. When one is broken we all are to a degree.

"Junior was a new part of our family and his tragic death leaves us scratching our heads and wiping our eyes. We are broken with Junior's family and we will pay him a fitting tribute.

"It was devastating to see last night's events unfold. They will deeply effect our club, our family."

Tonbridge defender, Sonny Miles, who played the first half at Whyteleafe last night, said: "It makes you wonder if it's all worth it. You hear about these things in football but you never imagine it happening in a game you're playing in.

"I only trained with him once but from the 25 minutes he played at Whyteleafe you could tell he was a good player. He was having a good game. It's tragedy. He hasn't lived really.

"Hopefully we'll be able to do something this season as a tribute to him."

Stephen McCartney, editor of Kentish Football, witnessed Dian's collapse. In a statement released today the 38-year-old said: "What I witnessed at Church Road last night is the worst moment I have witnessed since watching non-league football in 1989.

"Smiling with pride after watching my team Bromley clinch the Conference South title on 18 April 2015 – and hurting with agony today.

"It all puts football into perspective and I will be dedicating my coverage of Dulwich Hamlet and Peterborough United at Champion Hill tonight in memory of Junior Dian.

"Tributes have been pouring in all morning from the Kent football family, which proves - just like when George Howard was seriously injured last summer - that we all pull together during dark times like these.

"Rest In peace young man."

Dian, a former Dagenham & Redbridge youth player, had been hoping to prove himself to McKimm and earn a deal to play for Tonbridge in the Ryman League Premier Division this season.

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