THE football community has come together to pay tribute to a “cheeky Essex chappy” killed in a fatal crash.

Reis Farley-Hearn, 28, was travelling along Dunmow Road in Thaxted when the white Mercedes van he was driving was involved in a collision with a black Volkswagen.

All three emergency services were called out to the crash but despite the best efforts of paramedics, Mr Farley-Hearn was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Volkswagen was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but remains in a stable condition.

Mr Farley-Hearn was a popular figure in the district’s footballing community, having played for both Braintree Town and Witham Town’s reserve teams in his younger days.

He has also featured for Halstead Town and was enjoying a good season with White Notley FC.

Mark Sansom, who used to manage Mr Farley-Hearn and his brother Regan during their time with Braintree Reserves, has led the tributes to his former striker, hailing his determination to succeed for the team.

He said: “Reis always wore his heart on his sleeve and I remember he hated losing. He would always give 100 per cent and do everything he could to get a result for the team. He was the first name on the team sheet.

“It was always a please to work with Reis and he was someone who was always happy to have a chat with you.

“It’s a very sad situation when someone so young goes so suddenly like that. I can’t imagine what his family are going through.”

Witham Town held a minute’s silence ahead of their league fixture with Coggeshall Town on Friday evening, while White Notley’s match against Kelvedon was postponed.

Witham chairman Mark Nicholls added: “We did try to get the game called off but it was too short notice. Knowing Reis, he would have wanted the game to go ahead.

“We are all deeply shocked by what has happened.

“He was a typical cheeky Essex chappy and a lovely bloke. The response on Twitter and messages by all the football clubs around here shows how popular he was.”

Essex Police is continuing to investigate the fatal crash, which happened some time around 6.05pm on Wednesday, December 19.

No arrests have been made but officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01245 240590 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.