FOOTBALLERS from around the North-East will gather today to pay tribute to a popular player who died following a road crash.

Edward Sharp lost his fight for life in Newcastle General Hospital a week after his car was involved in an accident near his home in Newfield, near Willington.

His family, including parents Janice and Edward, and his fiancee Kelly Fox had kept a constant vigil by his bed.

At his funeral today in St Andrew's Church, Bishop Auckland, they will be joined by friends from the footballing world and people who worked with Edward and his father on major building projects around the country.

On the night of the tragedy Edward, a dry liner, was on his way home from his current job helping to restore the Baltic Flour Mills, on the banks of the River Tyne.

He played for both Tow Law and Consett this season and on Saturday both teams started their matches by holding a minute's silence.

With his former club Byers Green St Peter's, Edward was voted the Crook and District League's player of the year.

His uncle Bob, the Byers Green manager, cancelled last weekend's match and will start next Saturday's game with a tribute. Edward also played in the Wear Valley Sunday morning league.