TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved father and keen footballer who has died tragically young from a brain tumour.

Dad-of-two John Quinn, 38, passed away last week after a long battle with his condition.

Mr Quinn, who grew up in Leytonstone, was well-known in the footballing world of Waltham Forest and played for Leyton Orient FC's youth team.

As a boy he played alongside David Beckham in Waltham Forest Boys and  regularly went to watch his beloved West Ham FC.

He played for a variety of teams, including a stint at Watford, and took part in many football events such as a charity match at West Ham last year.

His 62-year-old father, also called John Quinn, of Poppleton Road in Leytonstone, said: "He was such a happy and beautiful boy.

"He never complained about his illness and wouldn't let it get the better of him.

"We've had so much love and support from everyone who knew him, we're very grateful."

Mr Quinn had just passed 'the knowledge' test for becoming a black cab driver when he was first diagnosed last summer.

His fiancée Lucy Daley, 24, who he moved to Hornchurch with, added: "He was very brave and took each day as it came.

“He meant so much to people. He was a bit of a joker and would always make everyone laugh and smile.”

A procession will leave Poppleton Road on Tuesday November 27 at around 1pm to the City of London Cemetery for his funeral at 3.30pm. It will stop at Leyton Orient's ground on the way.