HUNDREDS of mourners packed into Howe Bridge Crematorium, Atherton, to say goodbye to a promising teenage footballer who died playing the game he loved.

Daniel Young, aged 16, of Tyldesley Road, Hindsford, Atherton, collapsed and died just minutes after scoring a goal in his first game for Atherton Laburnum Rovers Under-17s.

Among the mourners were some wearing football shirts with Daniel's nickname, Youngy, printed on the back in his memory.

During the service, there were tributes from Daniel's family, his best friend, two of his teachers and his cousin.

Simon Rigby, Daniel's PE teacher at Fred Longworth High School, Tyldesley, said he saw the real Daniel when he was playing football.

He was probably the best football captain the school had ever seen, he said.

"Youngy had a passion for sport as a whole, and many times told me of his dream to be a PE teacher - a job he would have been superb at," Mr Rigby said. He said everyone in the school knew Youngy's voice, and he would never be forgotten.

He then read the poem Do Not Stand By My Grave and Weep.

The service included the songs I Believe I Can Fly by R Kelly and I Miss You by Puff Daddy.

Bolton Wanderers fan Daniel collapsed while suffering a suspected heart attack on Sunday, September 18, while playing for Atherton Laburnum Rovers Under-17s against Bolton Lads Club at Tyldesley Rugby Club.

Daniel was a devoted Bolton Wanderers fan and had been a match day mascot when he was younger.

The Rev Chris Straton, from St Georges Church, Tyldesley, said: "I have never seen such a well-attended funeral.

"There just wasn't enough room for all the people."

The many floral tributes reflected his love of football and Bolton Wanderers. One from his former team, Hindsford Juniors FC, read: "RIP Youngy: simply irreplaceable."