TRIBUTES were paid today to a North Yorkshire football fan killed by a gang who tried to steal his car in Manchester.

Police launched a murder hunt after Glyn Ellis, 46, who lived in Knaresborough, was killed when he tried to stop a gang of youths from stealing his Ford Mondeo.

He had gone to collect the car from his brother's home on a quiet residential estate at St Lawrence Quay, Salford, after watching Manchester United's Champions League win against Hungarian side Zalaegerszeg at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

It is believed that he reversed his car out of the garage, left the engine running and got out to close the garage door. As he did so, the gang of four or five jumped into the car and were only stopped when Mr Ellis stood in front of the vehicle.

It is thought he was hit by the vehicle, was knocked down and became trapped underneath.

Unable to move the car, the gang ran off empty-handed leaving him for dead. Manchester United fans raised the alarm.

Mr Ellis' parents were today said to be "extremely upset" and "too distressed" to speak about their son's death.

Colleagues at Tarmac Northern, the company where Mr Ellis worked as a senior surveyor at its Knaresborough offices, today paid tribute to him.

Spokesman Ian Cameron said: "Glyn was a very valued member of Tarmac Northern's staff and will be greatly missed by all of his colleagues. Our deepest sympathy goes to Glyn's family."

Former neighbour Monica Charnock knew Mr Ellis as "a neighbour and a friend" while she lived a few doors away in High Bond End, Knaresborough.

She said: "He was a lovely man, who was the same age as my son. It is just far too upsetting and far too sad."

Mr Ellis, a single geology graduate, was a keen tennis player, who played at The Academy sports centre in Harrogate.

Updated: 12:12 Thursday, August 29, 2002