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Tonbridge Angels hold day of remembrance at ground after death of Junior Dian before game against Gillingham

A day of remembrance has been held at Tonbridge Angels football club following the tragic death of Junior Dian.

The 24-year-old trialist collapsed during a pre-season friendly against Whyteleafe FC at their Surrey-based ground last week.

He was transferred to St George's Hospital in London but sadly died.

Junior Dian
Junior Dian
Tonbridge in blue and Gillingham in red pay their respects to Junior Dian
Tonbridge in blue and Gillingham in red pay their respects to Junior Dian

Tonbridge Angels played a friendly against Gillingham FC on Saturday at Longmead Stadium and players from both teams paid tribute to Dian.

Club bosses created an area where fans, players and officials could lay floral tributes and pay their respects. A minute's applause was also held before kick-off.

Tonbridge captain, James Folkes, bowed his head as the stadium remembered Dian, who was playing his first match for the club when he collapsed.

Club chaplain, Neil Durling, said just under 800 people attended Saturday's game, compared to an average of audience of 300 at a normal pre-season friendly.

Fans pay their respects with a minute's applause
Fans pay their respects with a minute's applause

He added: "I officiated the tribute and read out a passage from the bible and we had a minute's applause.

"The Gillingham fans were extremely respectful and flexible allowing us to pay tribute.

"Junior's family attended to pay tribute, they were going to another church service in London so we told them to take all the flowers with them.

"We were thrilled to hear Maidstone United, our rivals, held a minute's silence and raised £600 for the family. In tragedy the football world does unite. The lines don't matter anymore.

"I am continuing to offer counselling to anyone who may want or need it. I am speaking to various people at the moment."

Kostas Riascos for Tonbridge, wears a RIP t-shirt on behalf of his team mate
Kostas Riascos for Tonbridge, wears a RIP t-shirt on behalf of his team mate
Tonbridge Captain, James Folkes (middle), pays his respects to Junior Dian
Tonbridge Captain, James Folkes (middle), pays his respects to Junior Dian

Angels manager, Steve McKimm, said: "It was emotional, it was sad but it was a fitting tribute to a young lad who died doing what he loved.

"A lot of family and friends attended and I am glad we did what we could for them.

"Before this we had only spoken to his family on the phone so it was good to meet them. As much as it hurts for us, they are immediate family and we can never feel what they are feeling.

"Gillingham were so accommodating so I really have to take my hat off to them. The football world comes together in the face of tragedy. So many people came out to pay their respects.

"It was a fitting tribute if there can ever be one to a young boy who lost his life doing what he loved."

McKimm also told KentOnline of the moment he heard the terrible news.

Tributes poured in after news of Dian's death broke, and his brother, Prince Tomba-Dian, spoke of his "true heart" and "bubbly" personality.

He said: "I'm literally devastated right now. I'm heartbroken, my older brother is gone.

"He was a healthy guy, so for him to just collapse and to go and leave us with no explanation, I feel lost, I am lost for words. He's gone for doing something he loves, it's crazy.

"It was a fitting tribute if there can ever be one to a young boy who lost his life doing what he loved" - Steve McKimm

"He was my role model. Now I have to keep strong hold my head up for my mum. I have to keep my brother in my prayers, that’s all we can do right now is keep him in our prayers. He was a wonderful guy, the good die young."

Friends and family set up a fundraising page in a bid to raise money for Dian's funeral, and in just four days more than £5,000 has been raised.

A post on the page reads: "On behalf of Junior's family - A BIG thank you for all the support and love shown over the past couple of days. Nothing goes unnoticed. THANK YOU to every single person that has donated towards Junior's big send off.

"God bless you all."

To donate, click here.

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