A POPULAR and top non-league footballer's sudden death at the age of 33 was caused by heart failure, it has been revealed.A second post-mortem on former Ipswich Town and AFC Sudbury star Aaron Gardiner concluded he died from natural causes brought on by cardiac arrhythmia(heart failure).

A POPULAR and top non-league footballer's sudden death at the age of 33 was caused by heart failure, it has been revealed.

A second post-mortem on former Ipswich Town and AFC Sudbury star Aaron Gardiner concluded he died from natural causes brought on by cardiac arrhythmia(heart failure). An initial post-mortem proved inconclusive.

Yesterday, his grieving father Rob Gardiner, said: "The coroner has told us Aaron died of natural causes brought on by cardiac arrhythmia. I have been told that is when the balance of the heart goes to fast or slow."

Mr Gardiner, a father of three young daughters collapsed at his Blythe Close home in Ipswich on Wednesday, July 21, just after completing a training run to prepare for the new football season.

His new fiancée, Jo, found him on their bedroom floor and tried to revive him, but nothing could be done to save him.

His family are also hoping to organise a funeral procession through Sudbury town centre prior to the church service.

His father added: "Aaron was a showman in life and we want to give him a real showman's funeral. Anybody who wishes to attend the service is most welcome. After the service we will be having drinks at the Easterns to celebrate his life."

Mr Gardiner also leaves daughters Georgia, Charleigh and Genna and younger sister Mychaela, 29.

The family have requested all donations go to Cancer Research.