A MEMORIAL fund for a football player who died suddenly after collapsing last weekend has raised more than £5,000 since it was created on Tuesday night.

Christopher Barnett, 44, an Abertillery Excelsiors player, died on Monday, September 11 after being taken ill on Saturday afternoon whilst playing football.

The page was set up by the club's social media manager Mark Abraham - who described Mr Barnett - nicknamed ‘Barney’ as a “complete character” who was “loyal to everyone”.

He said: “I hadn’t actually known Barney for that long as I came to the Excelsiors a few months ago. But he was just one of those people who you end up getting to know and can’t forget.

“Myself and those that have known him for 10 or more years all know him for his loyalty. He had an insatiable sense of humour, a wicked sense of humour. He was also a loving husband and devoted father.

“If you had a bad day or work at you had just lost on the pitch he knew exactly how to make you forget about it all.

“We have been receiving hundreds of messages of support and condolences from Cardiff, Swansea and all across Wales.”

Mr Abraham announced via the club’s Facebook page that none of the club’s senior teams will be playing football this weekend out of respect - and people are instead invited to a tribute event at the New Bridgend Inn on Saturday.

He said: “We feel this is a fitting and appropriate tribute to start the healing process for his family and friends, many of which he enjoyed spending time with on the pitch and at the club.

“We would invite any and all comers to join us at the New Bridgend Inn on Saturday from 4pm to celebrate his life and recount the many heartwarming and hilarious stories we all have for a true character of the club.

“Everyone and anyone is welcome to come along. We want him to be remembered. There is a void now he’s gone but at the same time we don’t want to fill that void. We want to remember him as the character that he was.”

To donate visit gofundme.com/chris-barnett-memorial-fund