THE funeral of a young dad who collapsed and died at a cricket match was due to take place today.

Keen sportsman Phil Standing, 30, who grew up and worked in Hampshire, died while watching a match at Lords.

It is thought Mr Standing died from adult death syndrome after a post-mortem failed to determine a cause of death.

The father-of-two was brought up in North Baddesley and went to North Baddesley Junior and then Mountbatten School, who he represented at football. He went on to play for Hampshire, Bashley Rovers, AFC Solent and Rugby FC and also had try-outs with Arsenal.

Mr Standing then studied at Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh before going on to Warwick University. He returned to Southampton to study for his accountancy exams during which time he worked at KPMG.

Mum Sue, a retired physiotherapist, who lives in North Baddesley, said: “Phil was always popular at school. And in spite of his success, he was always modest and unassuming.”

His older sister Ruth, who now lives with her husband and son in Australia, said: “Phil was not only my dear brother but good friend, staunch supporter and a huge part of my life.”

Mr Standing, who went on to work for Ernst & Young and move to Surrey with wife Kate, leaves 20- month-old twin sons Oliver and Ben.

“When you consider what Phil achieved in his short life there are so many positives to recall,” said Wendy Karnhem, a long-term friend of the family.

“A brilliant student, a gifted sportsman, a highly successful accountant and a loving family man. All of this he did with an innate modesty and a sense of style that could not be bettered. Phil was a lovely human being.”

His funeral was due to be held today at Croydon Parish Church.