He was a much-loved son, brother and dad, hero captain of his rugby team and a “legend” in the eyes of his best mate.

To his heartbroken mum, Shaun Tandy, from Chatham who has tragically died at the age of 35, was her “Peter Pan, a big kid who never grew up”.

Tributes have been pouring in for Mr Tandy, a scaffolder and dad to Jack aged four, who died after a fall on a business park in the West Midlands.

Mr Tandy was pronounced dead at the scene despite desperate attempts to resuscitate him after he suffered a cardiac arrest.

Born and bred in Medway, Mr Tandy who lived with his mother Cindy Tandy in Princes Park was skipper of Lordswood Rugby Club’s first team. in the early 2000s

A keen sportsman, he first got into rugby when he was a teenager through his pal, Lee Evans’ dad.

By the time he was 15 he had joined a side at the Lordswood club and has playing ever since.

Mum Cindy,60, of Berkshire Close, Princes Park, said: “ He has always been active and could turn his hand to any sport, He liked playing football and had a spell of playing golf. But rugby was his first love.”

Although his job took him all over the country, he kept in regular touch with his mother who brought up both himself and his older brother Chris,37, single-handely.

Although he had split up from his partner Laura Hyland , the mother of his son, they still kept in touch and he took Jack out at weekends.

Mrs Tandy, said: “He might have been a big kid, but when he had a child of his own he took on the role straightaway.

“He was a very good dad. He took Jack swimming at Splashes, to Capstone Park and to McDonald’s.”

She said her son was extremely popular and had a great sense of humour.

She said: “I don’t know anyone who could walk into a pub full of strangers and come out and they would all be friends. He loved talking to people.”

Mr Tandy grew up on the Chatham estate and lived a stone’s throw from his childhood friend Lee Evans.

Mr Evans,36, who now lives near West Malling, remained close to his pal until his untimely death last month,

He said: ““We have known each other since we were about nine.We went to primary and secondary school together, worked together and went out socialising. He was a great rugby player and led by example.

“His passing has left a big hole in my life.”

Another friend, Tony Gue, former club chairman,said: “It is very sad. We used to go for a drink after a game and it was not long before we became the best of mates.”

Mrs Tandy said; “ I have very happy memories. He was a happy boy who smiled through his eyes.”

A just giving page, set up for Jack, who lives with his mother in Rainham, has already raised £5,650 which will be invested in an acount for when he is older.

Her other son, Chris lives in Durham and has a daughter, Misha, four.

Mr Tandy’s funeral will be at Medway Crematorium, Blue Bell Hill on Friday (feb12)at 2pm and afterwards a wake is being held at Lordswood Sports and Social Club in North Dane Way. All welcome. On Sunday (feb14) a memorial match will be played at the club, between 11am and 4pm.

Mr Tandy died after a fall at a business park near Birmingham on Thursday, January 14.

A joint investigation between West Mercia Police and the Health and Safety Executive is ongoing