FRIENDS of injured Southampton stuntman Jay Young staged an on-pitch tribute during a top non-league derby match at the weekend.

Liam Crook scored for Winchester City against Romsey on Saturday and lifted his football shirt to reveal a T-shirt with the logo ‘Pray for Jay.’ Jay, 22, is paralysed from the neck down after landing on his head while attempting a back flip, working at Legoland Windsor last Monday.

He is currently at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Rory Anderson, Winchester City goalkeeper and friend, told the Daily Echo: “Players from Romsey and Winchester know Jay through Taunton’s College and some through school at Bitterne Park. Liam played with Jay at Brockenhurst last season.

“What’s happened has stunned us all. We have made a Facebook group in support of him and it has 700 members already. It shows how much he is loved.

“Jay is the nicest lad. He hasn’t got a bad word to say about anyone. He is such a loveable guy which is why we are hopeful he can pull through.”

Rory said footballing friends hope to arrange a fundraising football match in May.

Jay’s brother yesterday said he remained in a serious condition in hospital. It was too early to say how severe the paralysis would be.

Lewis Young, 29, from Woking, said of the football tribute: “That’s amazing, really good. I’ll tell Jay. At the moment we are communicating through a booklet and cards. He blinks when you land on the right card. He gets frustrated.

“My phone has been going crazy, his Facebook page has been going mad. He is a lovely bloke with so many friends.”

Lewis said he would be taking legal advice to help clarify the extent of Jay’s insurance cover.