HEARTBROKEN boss Graham Kemp last night paid an emotional tribute to Christchurch striker Marc Burrows, who died yesterday aged 30.

Burrows, who was fighting pancreatic cancer, scored twice against New Milton Town in the FA Vase third round in December – before being diagnosed with the disease just days later. It was to be his last game for the club.

And as Priory prepare for Saturday’s fifth round tie at Chalfont St Peter, which was postponed at the weekend, Kemp said: “I was so shocked when I heard. I spoke to him on Friday after our Vase game was called off and he told me he had just got back from a three-mile run and told me to keep a place warm on the bench for him in the next round.

“A lot of the players saw him over the weekend and he looked bright and breezy. It was just so sudden.

“There is a feeling of disbelief around the club and it’s really difficult to put into words how we are all feeling at the moment.”

Burrows, nicknamed Buzz, plied his trade for Portsmouth, Brading, Cowes Sports and Eastleigh and was regarded as one of the Wessex League’s top frontmen since signing for Kemp’s side last season.

He made the national headlines five years ago when he scored one of the quickest goals in history – hitting the back of the net after just two seconds for Cowes Sports Reserves against Eastleigh.

Kemp added: “We were so pleased as a club that he was able to come to the last round of the Vase and we gave him the memory of beating Clacton.

“It’s just a shame that Saturday’s game was off and he didn’t get to come on an away trip with us.

“He was just an all-round good guy. He never once caused a problem the whole time he was at Christchurch, I can’t recall him ever missing training and he was always available for games. He always had a smile on his face. He was a real, genuine team lad.”

Priory have asked the Wessex League to postpone tonight’s League Cup quarter-final against VT FC, but will travel to Buckinghamshire on Saturday aiming to secure their passage into the last eight of the Vase.

Kemp said: “The lads have taken it quite badly and we’ve got quite a young side so, in many cases, it’s their first taste of this kind of thing and there’s a lot of heartache at the club at the moment.

“On Saturday I’m sure everyone will want to win the game for Marc.

“The main thing for me will be that everyone gives their all – I won’t put any pressure on the lads to win it for Marc. But what I will say is that we will give it 100 per cent and give it our best shot for him.

“Marc wouldn’t want any more than that. That’s all I will say to the lads – go out there for 90 minutes or however long it is, give it your best shot and keep the dream alive.

“The feeling won’t go away for a long time.

“We’ve lost a friend and a footballing colleague. The Vase just pales into insignificance and we have to make sure Marc’s fiancée Claire and their families are okay and do what we can for them.”