SCORES of footballers across the county are preparing to pay tribute to Tony Kyle, who died in a tragic accident in Spain.

Bridegroom-to-be Mr Kyle, of Exwick, Exeter, fell to his death while climbing a steep slope to reach his hotel on the Costa Brava. He was in Spain for his stag party.

A keen footballer, he played for both Heavitree Social United and Broadclyst Social Club in the Devon & Exeter Football League. Two minutes' silence will be observed before games involving those two teams tomorrow, while other clubs in the league have been invited to make a tribute if they wish.

Tributes will be staged at all three of Heavitree's fixtures, including a County Cup game against Bere Alston at Wingfield Park.

League spokesman Colin Goodwin said: "The club wanted to pay its respects and will be holding a tribute.

"The league's management committee has already expressed its sympathy and is sending its condolences to Tony's family on behalf of all the clubs within the league."

As Broadclyst prepare for trips to Exeter University and Okehampton, Paul White, club secretary, said the first team and reserves planned to repeat the silent tribute they held last weekend on hearing of Tony's death.

"He was with us for about five years and a lot of his close friends still play for Broadclyst," said Paul.

"It's devastating news. A couple of his close friends were too upset to play when we heard the news on Saturday.

"Tony was always happy and every time you saw him he was smiling. He got on well with everyone, was happy-go-lucky and a genuinely nice guy. He was also a quality striker — very quick — and defenders didn't like playing against him.

"He was a great player and a great mate to everyone. He will be sadly missed."

Paul added that the two clubs were already considering staging a charity match in Tony's memory.

According to reports in the Spanish media, Mr Kyle and another man on the trip, held to celebrate his imminent wedding to fiancée Emma in Sri Lanka, became separated from the rest of the dozen-strong group last Saturday and climbed a steep slope to their hotel.

Tributes to Mr Kyle are still being posted on the Echo's website www.thisisexeter.co.uk and at www.lastingtribute.co.uk.