FAMILY, friends and colleagues of popular Poole Borough footballer Shane Stanley joined together to pay tribute to the devoted family man at a charity football match held in his honour.

The father-of three, who died after suffering a heart attack in January, was a much-loved member of the football community having played for various teams in Poole over the years.

Prior to the game at Tatnam Ground, which saw Shane’s Poole Borough teammates take on a team of his colleagues from Barclays bank, players and spectators joined in a minute’s applause in Shane’s honour.

Leanne Leabourne said the match was the perfect tribute to her colleague.

She said: “He was a massive football fan. He lived for Poole Borough, hence why this is such a fitting tribute to the lad.

“It’s a great atmosphere but the underlying reason why we are doing this event has really struck home – we are doing this to make Shane proud.”

Mrs Leabourne said through-out the year the Poole branch of the bank has been raising funds for the British Heart Foundation and Pancreatic Cancer UK. She said: “One of the girls who works at Barclays’ dad suddenly passed away back in December and Shane sadly died in January.

“That’s why the funds have been split between the two charities and so far this year we’ve raised more than £10,000 for each.”

Chris Cox, a friend of Shane’s, said the young father is greatly missed within the football community.

He said: “He was one of the nicest guys you would have ever met. He absolutely loved football. It’s a very fitting tribute.”

Shane’s children Connor, 14, Ellie, 12, and Josh, 11, watched the match alongside his wife Vikki.

Connor, who attends Poole High School, said: “He would have loved it. He loved the sport.”

Connor’s sister Ellie, who has taken in her father’s footsteps and plays for Corfe Mullen, added: “I think he would be proud.”