Family, friends and football stunned by Nairn midfielder's death, aged 28

Tributes are being paid to Nairn County player Calum Riddell who has passed away - aged just 28 - only three months after his diagnosis with stage 4 Glioblastoma, a malignant brain tumour.

Calum came through the youth ranks at Nairn and returned to the club in 2016, making 28 appearances for County before the early symptoms of the disease made him unavailable for selection towards the end of last season.

Speaking to MFR News, Nairn County chairman Donald Matheson said, "It's still very raw, it doesn't get any easier and I haven't a clue how Rebekah (his wife) and Ian (his dad) are"

"We have to remember Calum. The craic was good, the wit and banter was still there, it's just devastating that the turn of events happened so quickly - we just have to remember how he was"

"He's always lived life to the full. He never grumbled - certainly not with any of the boys"

"He's always lived life to the full. He never grumbled - certainly not with any of the boys - he gave it 100% and just got on with it. That's just the man that he was. He was just taken too young"

"He had good days and bad days, but any time he came to a match he would always be in the dressing room and just be his usual self. We'll miss that big-time, just having him around"

Sunday's Benefit Match for the Calum Riddell Fund between Nairn County and the Calum Riddell All Stars will still go ahead at the request of Calum's wife and family.

"It'll be a good day, but it'll be an emotional day", said the Chairman, "as Calum had been badgering Rebekah about it saying how he'd been in that dugout to sort-out Nairn County!"

"That's the reason why that match is still going to go ahead and I'm sure we'll see plenty of old faces and I'm sure it'll be a good day for all the right reasons"