A FORMER Colchester United footballer has been killed in a road accident in the early hours of this morning.

Danielle Nuttall

A FORMER Colchester United footballer has been killed in a road accident in the early hours of this morning.

Ross Crouch was walking home along the A137 at Cox's Hill, Manningtree, at 12.30am when he was involved in a collision with an Audi A3.

The 23-year-old, of School Lane, Lawford, near Manningtree, had been returning home from a football tour in Prague when the accident happened. He was taken to Colchester General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Tributes were today paid to the talented footballer, who signed a professional contract with Colchester United in 2004 and was a member of Brantham Athletic Football Club's Sunday side and Stanway Rovers.

His parents, Sharon and Nigel, and brother, Jonathan, 20, said in a statement tonight: “Ross lived with his parents, Nigel and Sharon, and younger brother Jonathan in Lawford.

“After leaving Manningtree High School at the age of 16, Ross became an apprentice with Colchester United Football Club Youth Team. He was later offered a professional contract with the club.

“In 2006, Ross travelled to Australia where he lived and worked for a year. It was here he met his current girlfriend, who lives in Australia.

“After returning to the UK in September 2007 Ross became a trainee bricklayer at Otley College (in Ipswich) and also worked alongside his father in the family building business.

“Football was his passion, being an active member of Stanway Rovers Football Club and Brantham Colts.

“Ross was a real family man and friend to all. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.”

Graham Mower, secretary of Brantham Athletic, said the football club had been to eastern Prague for an end of season tour this weekend.

“We got back yesterday afternoon and he was killed on his way home,” he said.

“We've all been together this morning to get our heads around what's gone on.

“It's absolutely devastating. We all came back on a high and now no one knows what to say to one another.

“He was incredibly well-liked. He was a very quiet, strong man. You could put your life in his hands. He was absolutely first class.

“He was an absolute credit to himself, his family and his football club.”

The car had been travelling towards Colchester when the accident happened.

The driver of the Audi, a 34-year-old also from the Manningtree area, was uninjured in the accident.

Essex Police has launched an investigation and has appealed for any witnesses to call Stanway Road Policing Unit on 01206 762512.