A FOOTBALL club has paid tribute to a young coach who died at the weekend.

Stephen White was found dead at a house in Braemar Court, Darlington, early on Sunday.

The 24-year-old, who worked as a coach at Darlington Football Club, had been drinking with friends before his death, and police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Mr White, of Little Beck Drive, Darlington, coached Darlington FC under-14 team, which is part of the club's school of excellence.

He had just passed a Uefa coaching course, and had been earmarked for greater things with the club.

His boss, Ian Leckie, who is the Quakers' youth development officer, said everyone at the club had been left stunned by his death.

"When I first met Steve he was a shy young man, but he soon became very confident and worked well with the players and their parents," he said.

"I was out with him on Saturday night and he seemed fine when I left him. It came as a big shock when I found out he had died, and he will be sadly missed."

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr White's death, and said the coroner had been informed. An inquest would be opened shortly.