FRIENDS of a popular football player who tragically took his own life will stage a tournament in his memory.

Andy Leng was 36 when he died in August, and hundreds gathered for his funeral in September at St Matthias Church in Brighton. He had been fundraising for mental health charity Mind.

Now colleagues from his Monday night football teams have organised a tournament in his honour, to continue his fundraising.

Teammate Michael Gold said he was convinced to join up with the team on Mondays, and said his death had a huge impact on his many friends and family.

He said: “Andy loved football, he was always documenting everything, so we have all our pictures from Monday nights.

“He was the nicest guy, both on and off the pitch, always apologising, always doing his best. Andy would make me laugh, asking everyone how they were and catching up with them mid-game.”

The tournament will be at Aldridge Community Academy on December 8, to donate visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/andylengmind.