FORMER team-mates of Michael South held a minute's silence in his memory and donned black armbands before a key fixture yesterday.

Mr South died when the private ambulance he was driving collided with a double decker bus on the A64 near York on Friday, April 17.

The Marcia Grey football team which he helped found played Wigginton yesterday in a Sunday morning league cup final.

Andrew Day, who knew him for 19 years and now runs the team, said the silence was quite emotional for players and was respected by everyone on and off the pitch.

He paid tribute to his friend, who he said was a very quiet person but always willing to play wherever he played him.

He was also a "good friend" who dreamed of seeing the team go into division one, which he believed would happen this season.

Mr Day said: "What a shame he won't be with us to see this being achieved, but I'm sure he will be with us watching on.

"Mike was Club Man of the Year for two years on the bounce. He was always willing to help out wherever he could and do anything for our club, and once sponsored the team with his landscape business and bought us a new kit because we were struggling to get a new sponsor."

Mr Day said Mr South was also a good boss and a proud family man, and would be missed by his friends, teammates and family.

"He once built me a brick barbecue so we could have end of season parties at my house, and also gave me some work many years back as a labourer when I was struggling for work.

"I never would have thought his life would end like this. It's so sad.

"Deep down he was a good lad. I will miss him and so will the footy team."