Ashford United paid respect to youth player Connor McDonald with a minute's applause yesterday.

Young Connor, who played for the club's under 10s side, passed away on Tuesday after falling into the sea at Dymchurch that afternoon.

Before the club's home game against Sevenoaks, some of Connor's fellow youth players joined the senior side in the centre circle.

A crowd of 266 were at the game and paid their respects to the nine-year-old.

Players wore black armbands in Connor's memory during the match which ended 1-1.

Connor, who was a pupil at Furley Park Academy, was a promising footballer his coaches said as they paid tribute to him.

It is thought he suffered a heart attack after falling into the sea from rocks.

A dog walker passing by dragged Connor from the water and was taken into the care of ambulance crews before being rushed to hospital.

His team coach Jim Wealands said his team had been left devastated and in complete shock by the news.

He said: "He was a fantastic lad and a very talented footballer.

"He got on with everyone, the team are devastated. Everyone loved him to bits. My son went to school with Connor and they were very close."

Hundreds of players across the Ashford footballing community are expected to pay their respects before their matches this weekend.

Both the Ashford and District Leagues and the East Kent League have asked teams to hold either a minute's applause or a minute's silence.