Mourners pay tribute to boy, 13, who died in football match
DEVOTED father Michael Wood has described his pride in his son Liam who died suddenly while playing football.
Mr Wood described the 13-year-old as his "best mate" at a funeral service for the youngster yesterday.
Family and friends packed out St Wulstan's Roman Catholic Church, in Wolstanton, to say goodbye to the AFC Saints player, from Chesterton.
Mr Wood said: "My son was a son to be proud of. He loved his family, and his friends like they were family.
"I see that we are lucky to have shared our lives with Liam. He lived his life to the full and was always doing something."
Mourners heard of Liam's love for sport, with the youngster showing support for Arsenal, Port Vale and Stoke City football clubs.
His tearful father said: "His love for football was clear to see.
"He was not only my son but also my best mate. Liam we will miss you, and love you. Take care of the angels - I will miss you mate."
The requiem mass for Liam, nicknamed the Gingerbread Man, was also attended by fellow students of St John Fisher Catholic College, in Newcastle.
Liam collapsed on a pitch in Knutton as he celebrated scoring a goal in front of his father and grandfather on January 8.
Yesterday, his teammates from the under-14s AFC Saints side wore their striped Sunday league football shirts and formed a guard of honour around Liam's coffin as it was carried out of the church.
Father Anthony Dykes who led the service, told mourners: "When we face a shocking death like Liam's, in some ways it can hit us doubly.
"This death that has shaken everybody has brought people together to talk about Liam, about the sad thing that happened."
After a minute's silent prayer, family and friends remembered the bright and helpful young boy who would "always offer a hug to those in need and who was so pleased to be part of a team".
Father Dykes led tributes to the teenager who loved being active and enjoyed his kickboxing and swimming.
The congregation sang hymns including Guide me, O Thou Great Redeemer.
Best friend George Champ, also a student at St John Fisher Catholic College, read a heartfelt account of what the young friendship had meant to him.
He said: "Footy became our thing, and you could kick a ball from the end of the pitch to the goal. You scored like a pro."
He added: "I'm not sure what I should be doing or how life's going to turn out now, so I guess I'll carry on growing up as I should, and I'll do the things I thought we would."
A wake was held at St Wulstan's Community Centre following the service.
Donations were collected for AFC Saints.
Leave your tributes to Liam Wood below
Update: Inquest hears Liam Wood died of rare heart condition
Earlier stories:
Teammates pay their respects to friend Liam
Players raise cash in Liam's memory
Football kids' applause for Liam days after tragedy
Fund-raiser to be staged in Liam's honour
Floral tributes laid to teenage footballer, 13, who died after scoring goal
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