A POPULAR amateur footballer who died in an accident at his home was last night described as a brilliant player and a loving family man.

Father-of-two Lance Weller, 36, was found dead in his house in Telford Drive, Darlington, on May 31.

It is thought he died from head injuries sustained after falling down the stairs.

Mr Weller, a former Eastbourne School pupil, was a well-known amateur footballer in Darlington, having played for and managed Spraire Lads Sunday morning men’s team.

Ian Rumins, a former chairman of Spraire Lads, said Mr Weller played a pivotal role in bringing success to the club.

Before his arrival, the men’s team was made up of mostly young players brought on through the youth teams.

Mr Rumins said Mr Weller brought experience, leadership, and trophies to the club.

He said: “He was a leader on the field, he brought a lot of lads through, and in the end they won lots of trophies, thanks to him.

“He was a smashing bloke.

The lads thought the world of him.”

During Mr Weller’s captaincy, the team finished champions of Spennymoor and District division two and winners of the league cup, champions of The Northern Echo Invitational division two and three, and runners-up in division one.

Dave Scott, who founded Spraire Lads, said everyone at the club was shocked and saddened to hear of Mr Weller’s death.

“We are absolutely shattered – all gutted about the news,” he said.

“He was a brilliant football player, he had a very good left foot and was hard into the tackle. He led his team, and let them know what it was all about.”

Mr Scott said he had fond memories of a club trip to Darlington’s German twin town Mulheim.

He said: “Although we enjoyed our drinks at the end of the game, sometimes well into the early hours, Lance was the one person who would get out the next morning for a run, that shows his character.”

Following his retirement from football, Mr Weller, a builder, sponsored the girls’ team, for whom his 15-yearold daughter, Beth, played.

His son, Luke, 13, is also a keen footballer.

Mr Weller’s parents, Geoff and Joan Weller, also paid tribute to him yesterday.

Mrs Weller said her son was a “charming and polite man”.

“When I cooked for him, he would never get up without saying ‘thank you’,” she said.

“It might have been beans on toast, he would still say it had been a good meal.

“On Sunday, he would always say ‘you’ve excelled yourself again mum’. He loved his Sunday lunch.”

Geoff Weller said: “It is just tragic, such a shock to us. It is going to get worse.

“We have times when we just sit quiet, at other times it feels so devastating.”

Mr Weller’s funeral will be held at 1.45pm tomorrow at Darlington Crematorium.

Friends are welcome to attend.