THE grieving parents of a young footballer who tragically died on his stag weekend have paid tribute to their son.

Paul and Gaynor Kyle, of Alphington, said their 25-year-old son Tony was always the "life and soul of the party".

The groom-to-be from Exwick suffered fatal head injuries after he tripped and slid down a hillside in Lloret de Mar, in Spain.

"Tony was a happy, caring person," said Mrs Kyle.

"He never had a bad word to say about anybody.

"All his friends loved him and they were a big part of his life. Tony would always make time for his friends, even when he got engaged.

"He loved children, too, and had a little goddaughter called Evie."

Mr Kyle said: "My son was one of those guys you could become instant friends with. He was witty, friendly and had a loving, mischievous nature."

A talented striker, Tony's main interest was football. He played for a number of local sides including Whipton & Pinhoe, Broadclyst for five years, and had recently signed for Heavitree United.

He attended St Thomas School, where he played football and represented the school in athletics.

He also played for District and Exeter City Colts.

Tony was engaged to Emma Tythcott, 22, and the couple were due to be married in February.

"Tony and Emma got engaged two years ago," said Mrs Kyle.

"He met Emma when she was 16 and still at school.

"They were going to be married in Sri Lanka, and family and friends were going to fly out for the wedding. It was a country they had always wanted to visit.

"They had bought a house together 12 months ago and had lived with us for two years to save for it."

Mr Kyle said: "Tony loved Emma dearly and loved her family, too, and got on so well with them."

Family was important to Tony, and his parents said he would always make time for his adoring nephews.

"He loved Charlie and Theo so much," said Mrs Kyle.

"He was a really special uncle. He used to go straight from work to their house and play football with them. He and his brother-in-law Chris were like real brothers and did everything together."

Mr Kyle explained what happened on the day Tony died, the circumstances of which are still being investigated by Spanish police.

He said: "We went out to Lloret de Mar for his stag weekend and arrived at midnight.

"We left the hotel at 1am and went to a couple of bars. On the way home, Tony and his friend got separated from the group and took a short cut home.

"From what we can surmise, Tony tripped and slid down a hillside and hit his head. There were scuff marks and loose gravel stones where he had fallen.

"The Spanish police didn't speak English, so in the end it had to be the hotel manager who translated.

"He had children himself and was crying as he told me what had happened.

"I presumed the worst because the police kept me waiting and I was left dangling for one and a half hours before they told me.

"We had so much planned for the weekend."

Tributes to Tony have poured onto the Echo's website and www.lastingtribute.co.uk.

Mr and Mrs Kyle say the response has been a great comfort.

"We are just amazed at all the tributes to him. We didn't realise so many people knew him and loved him," said Mrs Kyle.

Mr Kyle said: "It has really helped us and given us comfort and brings up so many memories."

The funeral service will be held at Exeter Crematorium tomorrow at 2pm.

A Celebration of Tony's life will follow at the Crawford Hotel, in Alphington.

"We would like to see anybody come," said Mrs Kyle.

"He was a young lad and always looked so smart, so he would prefer people to come wearing coloured clothing, or just T-shirts and jeans, rather than black.

"He was just so handsome. His eyes smiled as well as his face."

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