TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular amateur footballer who died last night after falling from a moving car.

As reported in yesterday’s Daily Echo, Wayne Hodder was left with serious head injuries following the incident in the early hours of Saturday.

It is understood he was being driven home by his girlfriend after a night celebrating a friend’s birthday in Southampton’s Bedford Place when he fell out of the car.

Last night his brother Paul paid tribute to the 31-year-old father of one from Redbridge who passed away at Southampton General Hospital.

Paul said his brother, who made deliveries for Carlsberg and Tetley, was extremely popular and particularly well known in Southampton’s grassroots football scene.

He said: “He was always joking about and really bubbly. He had so many friends it’s unbelievable. Everybody loved him. He would do anything for anyone.”

He added: “Our thanks go to all the doctors and medical staff who did the best they could.”

Wayne played football for the Spartans, a senior premier division side in the Drew Smith Saturday league, and was a player and referee at the Goals five-a-side centre in Southampton.

Featured in the Daily Echo last week, teammates jokingly described Wayne, a brewery delivery man, as a “Carlsberg drayman who has swallowed more barrels than he’s lifted”.

Spartans boss Matt Dunford, a long-time friend, said: “I’m absolutely devastated. He’s always been Mr Invincible. He had more football injuries than you can imagine and always came back.”

He added: “He was a real social animal and was well liked by everyone he came into contact with. For us he was the life and soul of the dressing room. A real joker. There aren’t many teams that have got a Hodder. He’s legendary.”

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen what happened.

Wayne was a back seat passenger in a green Vauxhall Astra travelling along Stoneham Way from Eastleigh towards junction five of the M27 when he fell at about 12.30am. Police said the car was driven by a 39-year-old woman from Freemantle.

She was not arrested and is being treated as a witness.

At least one car stopped but left the scene before officers arrived.

Anyone with information can contact Operation Equity at Totton Roads Policing Unit on 101 or use the anonymous Crimestoppers charity line on 0800 555 111.

Wayne’s family have urged donations to the Hampshire BASICS charity to help pay for more equipment and training. Log onto basicshampshire.org.uk for details.