THE funeral of much-loved Sholing coach Darren Burdle will be held this Tuesday (January 10).

The service will take place at Wessex Vale Crematorium, West End, at 1pm with the wake to follow at Shamblehurst Barn in Hedge End.

It will be family flowers only, but those wishing to donate money can do so via the following links - The Sally B Appeal at http://www.sallyb.org.uk/appeal.htm for Darren's love of old war planes, or to his children Dylan and Brooke’s trust fund towards their education at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dylanandbrookesfuture.

Darren’s sudden death last month, aged 50, sent shockwaves round the non-League community and Sholing secretary Greg Dickson has been inundated with tributes to the popular former player and coach known as Birdman.

Darren’s playing career was spent at Esso Fawley, Brockenhurst, Lymington Town, Blackfield & Langley, BAT, Brendon and Folland Sports.

A holder of the UEFA B Licence, he went on to coach at Folland Reserves, Hamble Club, Winchester City and Lymington Town before rejoining Follands to coach the first team from 2012-15.