TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known Hampshire footballer and "devoted" family man who has been found dead.

Wessex League striker Nick Dadds was found dead in a underpass.

Flowers and cards have been laid near near the scene on Pilgrims Way, Andover, where the father-of-two was discovered.

Since his death family and friends have made touching tributes to the popular 26-year-old family man who played football for Andover New Street Football Club.

“He was an amazing person who was always happy and always had a smile on his face," said his cousin Naydine Clarke.

"He was a brilliant dad to his two children and completely devoted to his partner Chelsey."

She added: “I will always cherish our childhood memories and I miss his smile already.”

One card left with flowers on Pilgrims Way, where Nick was found on Friday morning, said: "Dearest little Nick, wherever you are sweet boy we hope you will be at peace. Let the angels do their job."

"To Nicholas, one of my oldest friends, you will never be forgotten, love you to death be safe up there," another read.

Last season he played for Andover Lions in the Hampshire Premier League Division One where he was top scorer.

On Sunday's he also turned out for Andover Arms, scoring 20 goals, as the team won the Andover Sunday League.

The team also won the North Hampshire Senior Cup and the Hampshire Intermediate Cup and had scored six goals so far this season.

Clubs across the football league held minutes of applause in honour of Nick last weekend and his team, Andover New Street, cancelled their game against Fleet Spurs as a mark of respect.

Daily Echo: Tributes left to Nick Dadds

Chairman of Andover New Street Football Club, Martin Tobin, said: “We are all totally devastated by the news. Nick will be such a big loss not just as a footballer but a person as well.

“I hadn’t known him that long but I always found him to be a really approachable person, who was good fun and enjoyed a bit of banter. On the field he was a 110 per cent player, he would give everything.

“I would like to send my condolences to his family and friends.”

The Andover Lions’ league fixture with Netley was also postponed and club secretary Chris Paris, said: “Nick played for us for a couple of seasons and last season ended up joint top scorer. He had bags of confidence in front of goal and would hit a shot from anywhere, he didn’t normally score tap-ins. You knew what you were going to get out of Nick; he worked hard and always put a shift in.

"He was an extremely popular member of the squad, always had a story to tell and kept everyone up to date with the latest scores for the Football Betting Accumulators. We all knew him well, we are devastated by the loss and our thoughts and condolences go out to his partner Chelsey, his children and to all of his family and friends.”

John Smith, Nick's Sunday manager from The Arms was equally shocked and upset by the news.

He said:“Nick’s loss is tragic on a number of levels. His family and his friends have lost someone very close and very dear to them and, on a sporting level local, football has lost a real character and personality.

"Everyone liked Nick and I’m glad that I got the chance to manage him.

"The lads will miss him; he has left a big void in the changing room and an even bigger void in people’s lives.”

A Hampshire police spokesperson said last Friday: "We attended and closed off the scene to enable the recovery of the body.

"At this stage we are not treating the death as suspicious."